The senior couples and the branch presidents met with officials from “Food for the Poor” this AM. It was a great meeting where we learned all the good that Food for the Poor does here in Jamaica and other countries. We learn how the church could best utilize the things that FFO offers. We ate lunch at Pizza Hut in Angels. We were heading to George’s house with his new wheel chair when Schaefermeyers got a call that said one of our elders had been shot and killed. We drove right to the hospital and then police station.
I am copying the Schaefermeyer’s words for part of my description of what happened ….
On Monday January 17, 2011, the Kingston Zone and Spanish Town Zone met at the Spanish Town Church to play football. The Elders of the Kingston Zone drove to the activity in the mission van so all eight of them could ride together. After the activity, the elders stopped for lunch and then were traveling toward Portmore when they were stopped in traffic and saw a police car and policemen by the side of the road– which isn’t unusual. The police frequently set up traffic stops and car checks along the roads between cities. The unusual thing was that a police officer ran past their van with his rifle drawn and shots were heard shortly thereafter. Elder Emery (one of the zone leaders) told them to duck and just then the back window of the van shattered.
This is a 15 passenger van which has 4 bench seats behind the front seats. Elder Ostberg was seated on the far back bench by the rear window; he was covered with glass and some of the glass and shrapnel went into his right eye; the bullet passed by him on his right side. He commented that he heard the bullet pass by his head. Elders Knowlton and Nelson were sitting on the next seat forward and the bullet passed between them. Elder Walker (the only Jamaican Elder in the van) was seated on the third seat forward (the middle of the five rows in the van) and was struck in the left temple by the bullet. Upon discovering that Elder Walker had been hit, the Elders checked for but could not find a pulse. Elder Emery pulled out of traffic and sped to the Spanish Town Hospital where Elder Walker was declared dead on arrival. When we arrived at the hospital people commented on how these seven elders from the US cried over their Jamaican brother. Seeing grown men cry here is an anomaly as they want to appear “tough”.
Elder Walker’s death was caused by a stray bullet from a person who had stolen a car. The police did not immediately apprehend the person responsible but have since determined his identity.
The elders were then directed to the police station where they spent a long afternoon and evening giving their stories to the police who interviewed them.
The incident happened around 12:30 PM and we got their around 3 PM. The seven were very upset, crying and devastated. President and Sister Hendricks were there giving comfort, taking and making calls. After a few minutes we left to go buy food for the elders, and mission home.
When they all got back to the mission home they were exhausted, and dirty. They were anxious to take a shower and eat what we had prepared. After our dinner the mission president had a wonderful, spiritual meeting. He taught some amazing things. He told of Joseph Smith. The Lord told Joseph Smith that his days were appointed to the Lord and no one could harm him until he had completed his mission. He told great stories of missionary work that needs to be done after this life. He talked of a mother and son whose love had a great bond. Sister Hendricks said she felt this one incident would bond these young men forever. Elder Schafermeyer gave great council too. One thing they all said was that his life here was ended, but his mission had been extended.
The elders one by one bore their testimonies of the Plan of Salvation and their love for the gospel. It was so powerful!
Those are the facts…Now the rest of the story….
Elder Walker was a gentle, quiet, humble gentlemanly person that stood about 6 feet 5 inches tall. He had a firm testimony and in his gentle way would bear a very powerful testimony. Elder Walker was a Jamacian elder. His mother, and little sister were all the family he had and he loved them so. They all joined the church together and his mom was so proud he wanted to serve a mission. When he was in the MTC he told another elder of his love for his mom. He said she was his earthly angel and that if anything ever happened to her, he would not want to live. When she became ill on his mission and it looked like she was NOT going to bet better, President Hendricks considered giving Elder Walker an early release. President Hendricks sought and received permission for Elder Walker to visit with his mother in the hospital. While there his mother expressed her desire that he complete his mission…. And he agreed to do that. Well she passed away and was buried on January 8th. In one instant today he was taken home to his mom. I know there are accidents in this world. I know that bad people are allowed to do bad things that hurt others. But today, Heavenly Father took a choice young man home to carry on with his mission in another place.
The President is having them spend the night tonight and tomorrow night. But in the day time, they are back to work. He has a great love for the elders that they each feel.
Elder Walker was in Portmore last Wednesday and we got to teach with him. He was a powerful teacher and Mike and I both commented on what a wonderful day it had been with him. We feel so lucky that we got to know him a little that day.
President instructed that each elder was required to sleep for 8 hours that night. I think that will be the only time on their mission, they have permission to sleep past 6:30 AM. We all love President Hendricks so.
8 missionaries right before the shooting
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