An impromptu community organized candlelight vigil was held in memory of 24 year-old Christina Voelzing, a second-year Victimology student at Algonquin, who was shot in her Bells Corners home Easter Sunday.
“She was part of the community, it’s tragic,” said Gail St. Germain, Voelzing’s neighbor. “I’ve lived here 13 years and there’s never been anything like this.”
About 30 people attended the vigil, many still shocked that the shooting happened in their neighborhood. However, neighbors said they didn’t have any concerns about their safety.
“It can happen in any area really,” said St. Germain. “They’re all fine people here.”
Algonquin College Victimology program coordinator Benjamin Roebuck described Voelzing as “A friend and a mentor” during an interview March 29.
“Earlier today someone described her as a big sister who took care of her even though the student is older than her,” Roebuck continued. “She’s the type of person who really invests herself in the people around her.”
According to a press release issued by the Ottawa police Tuesday, officials stated that “Investigators have determined that while the isolated incident was not random, it may not have been targeted.”
No one was in custody at the time of the press release, but a vehicle had been seized at the scene.
The Ottawa Citizen reported that on the day of the shooting, neighbors said they had heard a loud bang come from the apartment only a few hours before shots were heard, police said.
Ottawa police were called to the scene at 5 a.m. and Voelzing was rushed to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Voelzing was just over a month away from completing her graduate program in Victimology, at which point she planned on working with youths affected by crime.
Victimology is the study of crime, and its effects on victims. Students in the program learn to understand victim’s rights, sudden and traumatic loss, victim populations, crime, and its effects on victims in the criminal justice system, according to the program’s website.
The program is in its fifth year of operation.
In a memo to staff and faculty on March 28, Algonquin president Cheryl Jensen said that Voelzing had passed away Sunday, March 27.
“Our community’s collective grief, confusion and sense of loss is made greater because our colleague, Sherryl Fraser, Chair, General Arts and Science, has lost her daughter.”
All flags were lowered Monday in Voelzing’s memory, and faculty members in the victimology program met with students late Tuesday.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.” Jensen said Tuesday.
Voelzing also worked as a server at Fitz Classic Grill. Her co-workers were unable to elaborate on Voelzing’s time at the restaurant but said they were grieving at the present moment.
Originally published on March 29, 2016. Most recent update was made on March 30, 2016.