Community supports shooting victim

Colorado shooting victim's family and friends come together

BYRAM — When Cliff and Joanne Fry established roots in Byram Township 1991, John and Janine Wheelwright were already there. These parents became close and their six daughters grew to be best friends. The girls attended the nursery school together in Forest Lakes and the families vacationed together on camping, hiking, and rafting trips.

They are outdoor people who like the environment and thought it was a great place to raise a family. With the lakes and CO Johnson Park so close, John Wheelwright said, “It is an awesome spot to raise a family. We got lucky. How many children have the chance to have friends from preschool through high school? The six of them are like sisters.” And when the six girls matured into young women, they didn’t talk of boys and makeup very much says Jamie, the middle sister of the Fry family. “We were tomboys, more likely to look for frogs in the mud together. And even though there is an age difference between the youngest and oldest, we are like a family. We were all together all the time, and each of us has formed a special and unique bond with each other.” Though some of them moved across the country, the bonds that all six girls share still remain and each one can pick up where they last left off with a text or phone call.

A celebration turned tragic
Soon after Kayla Wheelwright graduated from Arizona State University and got a teaching job in Colorado, Jacci Fry decided to join her friend. She moved in February this year. But in the early morning hours of July 20, the quiet lives of both families changed forever.

According to Jacci’s sister Jamie, Alex Sullivan bought tickets for a group of over a dozen close friends including Jacci Fry for the early morning movie premier of "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises" to insure they could all go together.

It was a festive time for the group in Aurora, Colorado as it was Sullivan’s birthday and first wedding anniversary two days later. But, a gunman opened fire in the theater killing 12 people including Sullivan and wounding Jacci and 57 others. Kayla would have been with Jacci that fateful morning had she not returned to Byram for an engagement party.

Support from her hometown
So on Monday, members of the community gathered at Salt Gastropub to show their support for the Fry family in what comes so natural for Byram residents. Musician Jon Wozniak, who plays at Salt every Friday night, performed the while Jacci’s father Cliff and sisters Jamie and 16-year-old Jodie received an endless stream of heartfelt hugs, smiles, and get well soon messages to pass along to Jacci. In return, the Frys gave reassurances that Jacci is staying strong.

For the past week, Jacci has been recovering in Colorado with her mom and Kayla and Janine Wheelwright at her bedside. In a recent phone conversation when Jamie asked Jacci how she was doing, her reply was “it feels like I have bullet wounds all over my body”. Jacci had received 30-35 pieces of shrapnel over her body, including pieces that went through her cheek and knocked out four teeth.

Compounding the stress on the Fry family, Jamie, along with her father Cliff, has had to step up as a family spokesperson in New Jersey as the media has descended on the peaceful township. “When I’m alone I get so emotional, but it has helped me because I try to stay strong when I’m talking to people and answering questions. It’s all just facts now."

Tim Mota, Jamie’s boyfriend, says, “The way the community is coming out to show support is enabling them all to handle it better.”

Jamie has longed to be with her sister and finally got on a flight Tuesday, fulfill Jacci’s only request she and youngest sister Jodie just “bring yourselves” and a package of Taylor Ham.

Benefit comes together
The benefit came together through the efforts of area residents and companies. First to act was Joanne Wheelwright, who set up the bank account at PNC Bank for The Jacci Fry Foundation, and, Brad Boyle, neighbor and owner of Salt and his wife Laurie.

The Boyles didn’t know what the family would need in this time of crisis, so they simply planned one night to donate the profits from dinners served at their restaurant.

Upon hearing of these plans and without solicitation, more people began reaching out to drop off checks, cash, and items that would be the foundation of a silent auction. The outpouring was so immense that a second day had to be added to the benefit.

Boyle’s connections in the food industry include Ted Allen, the host of the television show "Chopped," and celebrity chefs and restrantuers Chris Santos and Ariane Duarte, who each took time from their busy schedules to respond immediately offering donations for the auction.

Other offers range from a private house concert by regular Salt musician Briz, rounds of golf, original artwork, and gift certificates from Anti Hero Electric Tattoo, local restaurants and hair salons.

John Wheelwright was overwhelmed on how the community was so swift to act.

“It’s incredible. It warms your heart to know how wonderful people are here in the community. For the Boyles to do so much, we are lucky to have Salt in our neighborhood. They are just wonderful people, always here to help.”

Boyle says, “We are just happy that we are able to facilitate this benefit and give the community a venue where they can come together and a place where they can just come and talk about what happened.”

There had been approximately reservations for 400 people made between the two nights and General Manager Jennifer Hornung said she turned down more than 50 additional calls for reservations. State Shuttle donated their van and driver to transport patrons and well-wishers between restaurant and RDA Fitness parking spaces in the shopping center to ensure safe passage across Route 206.

When Mike Schopperth of Green Township stopped in for his usual Monday night drinks with friends he wasn’t aware of the benefit. While he doesn’t know the family, he didn’t mind that it was busier than usual. “It’s a great cause, bringing awareness locally and a lot of people showed up. It’s good to see a packed house on a Monday night.”

Regarding a more somber aspect, when asked if the prosecutors have spoken to the family about seeking the death penalty, Jamie was unaware if they had contacted Jacci. She says, “Even if that did happen, we (father Cliff and Jamie) don’t really feel anything towards this guy because all we can think about is that we have Jacci to hug and that she is OK.

While residents ask if a tragedy like this could it happen here? John Wheelwright believes, “You can’t stop living your life because of one creep. This is a very safe community and if you’re too paranoid, then the terrorists win."

The Byram Police Department has not taken any extra measures or made changes to their procedures based on the shooting in Colorado. Lt Peter Zabita says, “Our guys are trained for those kind of scenarios, so nothing really has changed.”

In regards to the benefit at Salt, he does not know the Fry family personally, but Zabita supports the quick efforts of the community. “It’s a very nice thing they are doing. I understand the owner is very active in community affairs, so it’s very good to hear."

Additional reporting from the Associated Press prompted a few concerned friends to contact Jamie through Facebook. The story stated “Jacci Fry and her sister had gone to see “The Dark Knight Rises with about 15 friends," but neither Jaime or Jodie were in Colorado at that time. When Jamie read the report online, she wasn’t angry but knew someone got it wrong. “I was more concerned with Jacci’s well being than with the fact that people had the wrong story.”

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