Virginia Tech Father Speaks at Crime Victims Vigil

VIENNA, VA -- Fairfax County marked the start of National Crime Victims Week Sunday with a community gathering to recognize and provide resources for crime victims.

Reports Liz Anderson of WTOP:

Speakers included a dad who lost a daughter during the Virginia Tech mass shooting nearly 10 years ago, on April 16, 2007.

“You are the strongest and the most resilient people I know. You are heroes and in a different way, we are all family here,” Joseph Samaha said to the audience.

He’s father of Virginia Tech mass shooting victim Reema Samaha. The 18-year-old Samaha was one of 33 people who died during that mass shooting, including the gunman.

“As victims, we seek what I call ‘The Trilogy.’ Truth, accountability and apology. Knowing we may never receive the full truth, we will never have complete accountability, nor may we ever receive a sincere apology. But we continue to seek justice,” he said.

The event included a candlelight vigil following a 5K walk.

National Crime Victims Week runs April 2 to 8. A national crime victims award ceremony will be held Friday, April 7 at 2 p.m. at the National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC.

Fairfax County provides support services to crime victims. Call 703-246-2141 to reach a victim specialist.

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