Wyoming for Olivia

Hospital, community members gather for candlelight vigil Friday evening

Members of the North Big Horn Hospital District family and the community at large gathered Friday evening to hold one of the many candlelight vigils held for Olivia Blackmer, at the time the sole survivor of the February 10 shootings in Byron clinging to life at a Salt Lake City Hospital.

The solemn gathering was part of a multi-community Wyoming for Olivia series of vigils held across the Cowboy State. Other vigils in North Big Horn County included an open-door prayer offering at the Water of Life Church in Cowley and a candlelight vigil at South Side Park in Byron (see related story).

A moment of silence was held prior to the Rocky Mountain-Greybull basketball games Friday evening.

As people arrived, they shared in the lighting of candles, and CEO Eric Connell offered words of reflection.

“We are gathered here tonight with heavy hearts, our candles flickering in the frigid Wyoming air, sending our love for seven-year-old Olivia, who is fighting for her life in the hospital,” Connell said. “News of this tragedy has shaken our community, leaving us all with a profound sense of grief and disbelief.

“We are a community united in both grief and hope. We mourn the devastating loss of her mother and siblings, a tragedy that is already almost too much to bear. We stand together with all those affected by this senseless and devastating event. May the warm glow of our candles represent the strength and hope we hold in our hearts for all those affected.”

Ambulance Director Scott Murphey said it was amazing to see the whole state of Wyoming come together in prayer and support for Olivia and her family, adding, “God’s will be done,” but that all were praying for Olivia to pull through.

As for the show of unity, he added, “It’s something we all should be proud of. I know I am.”

Dr. Troy Caldwell praised the medical team at North Big Horn Hospital and, as a father himself, said, “It makes you want to go home and hug your family.”

Supervisor Julie Watson, too, said the gathering was a tribute to “our hospital and EMT family,” and added Chief Operating Officer Kathy Walker, “We’re all here because we care.”

Clinical Educator Katie Weinand urged those in attendance to not focus on blame, noting, “Let us judge less harshly what we cannot see. We really don’t understand (what was happening in the family). As a mom, I just want to offer love and not focus on the unthinkable. We don’t know the place that mom might have been.”

Those who gathered together also prayed and sang three hymns, “How Great Thou Art,” “Jesus Loves Me” and “Amazing Grace.”

CNA Wynter Stein sang “Love One Another” before all departed in silence.

Unfortunately, word was received throughout the community Sunday morning that Olivia Blackmer, a first grader at Rocky Mountain Elementary School, had passed away Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake.