Hundreds mourn school shooting victims

WITH the bang of a drum and a high-pitched wail, the first funerals began for victims of a teenager’s shooting rampage on the Red Lake Indian Reservation where 10 people died.

A lone man’s cry gave way to songs and more drumming from a circle of a dozen men on Saturday, and hundreds of people who had gathered in a community centre filed past a pair of open coffins.

Daryl Lussier, a 58-year-old tribal police officer, and his longtime companion Michelle Sigana, 31, were the first victims in last Monday’s attack by his grandson, Jeff Weise, 16.

Mr Lussier, dressed in his police uniform, had an eagle feather placed in his hands. In his coffin were a US flag, a teddy bear, a few cigarettes and his police badge. In Ms Sigana’s coffin was a ceramic dish filled with cigarettes.

More than 100 police officers attended the five-hour service for Mr Lussier and Ms Sigana, along with Governor Tim Pawlenty and US Senator Norm Coleman.

In brief remarks, Mr Pawlenty alluded to Red Lake’s reputation as a place of poverty. Wealth is not measured in the value of a home, he said, but in the strength of communities and families.

“Even in grief, I can see that the Red Lake Nation is one of Minnesota’s wealthiest places,” he said.

After killing the pair in their home on the northern Minnesota reservation, Weise went to Red Lake High School, where authorities say he gunned down five students, a teacher and a security guard before shooting himself.

A third funeral, for 15-year-old Chase Lussier, also was held on Saturday at St Mary’s Catholic Church.

Pallbearers, including John Morris Jnr, wore T-shirts with Chase’s picture and the words “In memory of Beka.”

Outside the Red Lake community centre, which shares space with a casino, an electronic sign flashed a message: “Red Lake Nation sends heartfelt condolences to all family members of tragic event. We are one in our sorrow and in our love.”

The Red Lake school is not expected to reopen until next month.