In the aftermath of Seal Beach and Orange County’s worst murder rampage ever that happened on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, a sadness is everywhere in and around Seal Beach’s downtown area. People sit in Bogart’s Coffee House, a popular hangout across from the beach, or on the benches outdoors, just staring in dazed expressions, trying to make sense of what happened when 8 innocent women and men were shot point blank and murdered, and one woman is in the hospital in critical condition.

The flag at the Seal Beach Pier flies at half-staff and flowers are left in the lap of the bronze sculpture, Slick the Seal, the mascot of the city. On Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, Over 1,000 people attended the memorial for the victims outside Meritage Salon where the shooting took place.

The suspect in the shooting is Huntington Beach, Calif. resident, Scott Dekrai, who was in a bitter custody battle over a 7-year old son. Scott lived in Huntington Beach on Melody Lane and his son reportedly attended McGaugh School in Seal Beach where the boy’s mother worked at the salon. Michelle Fournier, the mom, is now dead.

We are sorry for the innocent lives lost, and are glad for friends who were not working in the salon that day or having their hair done as long-time customers to the salon. This is the biggest disaster to hit Seal Beach and it touches many lives in cities far & wide.

For those of us who visit Seal Beach on a daily basis as our escape from bigger cities such as Huntington Beach, we will continue to visit our beloved Seal Beach, shop at its stores and salons, eat in restaurants and support our adopted “Leave it to Beaver” town. It’s hard to believe that just a few days ago we were flying kites at the annual Seal Beach Kite Festival, celebrating life, and raising money for the Japanese earthquake victims. A victims’ fund is being set up for the Seal Beach shooting victims’ families.