A community grieves

Victims of Saturday’s shooting spree remembered with vigils, memorials

The Moscow community came together Sunday to mourn in the wake of a rampage shooting that killed three and left one injured Saturday.

Amber Emery | Argonaut
Moscow community members raise candles in honor of the victims of Saturday’s shooting spree at a prayer vigil at First United Methodist Church in Moscow.

Several vigils were held throughout town to remember the victims who died, David Trail, 76; Belinda Niebuhr, 47; Terri Grzebielski, 61; and survivor Michael Chin, who was injured in the shooting and is now out of the intensive care unit in a Spokane hospital.

Original plans were to transport Chin to Seattle, but his condition improved enough that the move was not needed.

A prayer vigil was held at the First United Methodist Church in Moscow Sunday night to remember all of the victims.

“We ask why such a thing can happen and have no answers,” community members prayed in unison at the vigil. “So we gather as a community, as people from many faith traditions and none, to seek comfort and to stand against violence and for peace and justice.”

Police believe Trail, Niebuhr, Grzebielski and Chin were shot by suspected shooter John Lee Saturday before entering a high-speed car chase that ended north of Colfax when Lee crashed into a ditch.

Lee, formerly known as Kane Grzebielski, is suspected to have killed his adopted mother Terri Grzebielski at her home on Veatch Street in Moscow before heading to the apartment complex owned by Trail on the corner of Third and Jefferson streets. Lee allegedly shot Trail and Chin, who was visiting his parents in Moscow. Police said Chin was taking care of some business with Trail when Lee entered the office and opened fire. Trail, the brother of former state representative Tom Trail, was Lee’s landlord at the complex.

Suspected shooter John Lee is being held in Whitman County on one count of felony eluding. He is expected to appear in court Monday.

Moscow Mayor Bill Lambert, visibly weary from more than 28-hours of grieving and communicating with a mourning community, spoke at the vigil and reminded attendees that although it may not seem like it, Moscow is a safe place.

“For every one of us, violence is something we cannot tolerate,” Lambert said. “We must stand up to violence and find a way to stop it. We can never, ever, ever, ever give up. That is my solemn promise and my commitment to the community.”

Another vigil was held earlier Sunday at Arby’s in Moscow, the third location in Sunday’s shooting. Police said Lee entered the Arby’s and asked for the manager, Niebuhr, before shooting her.

Memorials, candles and signs with pictures and memories of Niebuhr began appearing at the Arby’s Saturday night after Niebuhr’s name was released to the public.

Amber Emery | Argonaut
Belinda Niebuhr is remembered on the sign outside Arby’s in Moscow where she was shot and killed.

Alan Rose, a Moscow resident for the past 45 years, attended the vigil at First United. He personally knew Grzebielski and Chin, and though he never personally worked with Trail, knew the prominent Moscow family well.

“Terri, she was a light in the community,” Rose said. “She loved to dance and sing, and when she was on the dance floor she epitomized what life was about. I also knew Michael from when he grew up here. He is a marvelous young man with so much life ahead of him and this is just a tragedy.”

Rose said the community is grieving in light of the tragedy, but knows the small town will pull through.

“Moscow is a little family,” Rose said. “You don’t know everyone, but you see them. The community comes together in times like this because it’s too hard to bear alone, but we’re a small town with a heart. We will recover.”

Lee is being held in Whitman County on one count of felony eluding and is expected to appear in court Monday. Police said they are working with Whitman County to move him to Moscow where he will face murder charges.