Healing Process Begins After Guam
Shootings
March 1, 2001 Tamuning, Guam, USA (Territory) .... [Ken
Wetmore]
The healing process following the February 26 shooting at Guam
Seventh-day Adventist Clinic has begun; though the physical
wounds of the survivors are healing more quickly than the
emotional wounds, say local Adventist Church leaders.
Peter Maguadog, 44, entered the Adventist Clinic, Monday at 11
a.m. and in the following minutes fatally shot his ex-wife, Lucia
Maguadog, and Bernadette Moreno. Both women were nurses
at the clinic. Four other people were wounded in the attack
before police fatally wounded Maguadog.
As of Wednesday night, February 28, all the victims of the
shooting, with the exception of Jordan Urban, had been released
from Guam Memorial Hospital. Although Urban remains in the
hospital, his condition has improved and he is no longer in the
intensive care unit.
"We visited JC yesterday and while he is very weak, he was
responsive and we were able to talk and pray with him for a few
minutes," says Remenster Jano, executive secretary of the
Adventist Church in Guam-Micronesia. Doctors attending Urban
report that they expect him to be released from the hospital
within the next week.
The day after the shooting the emotional healing began with a
special service held at the Agana Heights Adventist Church to
remember the dead and pray for the wounded. Over 440
members of the community packed the church to capacity.
Those in attendance included clinic staff, family members of the
victims, Guam legislators, and members of the press. The
common denominator of shared grief brought together a group
that crossed denominational, ethnic, and cultural lines.
Several Adventist pastors including the president of the
Adventist Church in Guam-Micronesia, Willy Nobuo, spoke
reminding the audience of the promises the Bible holds for
believers during difficult circumstances. Most touching were the
tributes offered by family, friends, and coworkers of the victims.
Julie Emmanuel, human resource director at the clinic,
remembers Lucia Maguadog and Bernadette Moreno as being
very different. "If variety is the spice of life, then Lucia and Bernie
enriched our lives," said Emmanuel. Emmanuel described
Maguadog as being a strong and resilient person who
commanded respect and Moreno as being a person who loved
to laugh and make others happy.
The Agana Heights Adventist Church service was not the only
religious service held. Mass was held at several Catholic
Churches around the island, which is 85 percent Roman
Catholic.
Tuesday evening, February 27, the clinic offered its first group
counseling session. Three more sessions were offered
Wednesday and Mike Mahoney, clinic administrator, indicated
that further sessions would be available if there was a demand
for them. He adds that individual counseling will also be
available to anyone who wants it.
The Guam Police Department finished its investigation of the
crime scene February 28 and returned control of the premises to
clinic officials. At a press conference Wednesday afternoon,
Mahoney reported that limited services would be available
Thursday.
Mahoney says that some employees are ready to return to work
and others are not. "We have assured them that we will work with
them as long as it takes for them to be prepared to go in," says
Mahoney. "Nobody is going to be rushed into doing something
they don't want to do."
Mahoney feels there are enough staff willing and ready to work to
open the clinic partially.
As the healing process starts, Nobuo is thankful for the many
people and organizations around the world that have lifted up in
prayer those effected by the tragedy at the Adventist clinic.
"I have received messages from all over the world telling me we
are being remembered in prayer," says Nobuo. "It has been a
much needed boost to our heavy hearts to know our brothers
and sisters in Christ are praying for us."
The Guam Seventh-day Adventist Clinic, established in 1955, is
a multi-specialty medical and dental clinic that employs more
than 200 people.
Killed:
Lucia Maguadog, 43, nurse, who was estranged from her
husband, Peter Maguadog.
Bernadette Moreno, 27, nurse.
Peter Aguon Maguadog, 44, former clinic employee and alleged
gunman.
Wounded:
Betty Vence, 56, chief accountant
Tom Kim, 46, business consultant
Anthony Cruz Jr., 26, supply clerk
Jordan Urban, 29, Guam Adventist Academy accountant
Adventist News Network
