Dawson Shooting Tragedy

Standing outside the emergency room of the Montreal General in the drizzle yesterday afternoon, I quickly scribbled a few paragraphs and filed the following to the Toronto Star newsroom at approximately 4 p.m. via my cell phone:

The panicked aunt of one 18-year-old victim arrived at the emergency room of the Montreal General Hospital, pleading for help from the media in finding her niece, Anastasia DeSousa.

"She was put in an ambulance, now she can't be found," said Natalia Hevey.

She said friends and family had checked with at least five local hospitals, to no avail.

Hevey said her mother saw her niece being loaded on to an ambulance on TV, reportedly with shots to her arm.

"That was the last we saw of her."

In today's Star story by Rosie DiManno:

The slain woman was identified as Anastacia DeSousa, 22.

Earlier in the day, DeSousa's panicked aunt arrived at the emergency department of Montreal General Hospital, pleading for help from the media in finding her niece, a first-year student at Dawson.

"She was put in an ambulance, now she can't be found," said Natalia Hevey.

She said her mother saw her niece being loaded on an ambulance on television, reportedly having been shot in the arm.

"That's the last we saw of her."

Our heartfelt condolences to Anastasia's family, and to the families of all other victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.