Our Views: Shooting binds us all
Driving to work the other day, we noticed a flag flying at half-staff in a local front yard, a small reminder that what the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colo., has touched every part of America, including south Louisiana.
James E. Holmes is accused of opening fire in a crowded movie theater in Aurora, fatally shooting a dozen people and injuring many others.
Among those injured was 18-year-old Bonnie Kate Pourciau of Baton Rouge, who had stopped in Aurora during a road trip with her friend, Elizabeth Sumrall, also of Baton Rouge.
We were happy to learn that Pourciau seemed to be in good spirits after suffering a gunshot wound to her knee. We were also happy to learn that Sumrall, 23, was not injured in the shooting.
Pourciau and Sumrall were featured on the front page of The Advocate recently after President Barack Obama visited Pourciau in her hospital room.
Pourciau was featured on a subsequent front page of The Advocate when she returned to Baton Rouge in an air ambulance.
Pourciau is expected to undergo more surgeries and she has a long recovery ahead, her mother said. We wish Bonnie Kate the best, and we know many local residents are pulling for her.
We are deeply saddened that so many others lost their lives in the shooting. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
The shooting has reminded Americans of the ties that bind us, regardless of race, creed or political party. Those connections are important to keep in mind as the nation recovers from this tragic event.