In a statement released on Thursday, October 23, on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, area seventies Elder G. Lawrence Spackman (North America Central), Elder Alain L. Allard (North America Northeast) and Elder Paul D. M. Christensen (North America Northwest) issued the following message:
“We are deeply saddened by the events that have occurred this week in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and in our national capital yesterday. We grieve with all those affected by this tragedy and offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
“In this hour of great sorrow, we pray the Spirit of our Father in Heaven will provide comfort, peace and healing to all at this difficult time.”
Patrice Vincent, 53, a long-time military veteran working in the Canadian Armed Forces Joint Personnel Support unit, was struck down in a parking lot by a vehicle and died of his injuries in front of his latest post in Saint-Jean-sur-Richeleau on Monday, October 20.
Twenty-four year old Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, a reservist soldier from Hamilton, Ontario's Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died shortly after being shot on Wednesday, October 22, while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa.