A father who lost his daughter in the 1999 Alberta school shooting shares his experience of grieving and forgiveness.
It has been over two decades since the tragic event that shook the small town of Taber, Alberta. On April 28, 1999, a 14-year-old student opened fire in W.R. Myers High School, killing one student and injuring another. Among the victims was 17-year-old Tabitha Stepple, who lost her life that day.
As the 22nd anniversary of the shooting approaches, Tabitha’s father, John Stepple, reflects on his journey of grieving and forgiveness. In an exclusive interview with Global News, he opens up about the pain of losing his daughter and how he found the strength to forgive the shooter.
“It’s something that never goes away,” Stepple says, his voice filled with emotion. “You learn to live with it, but it’s always there.”
Stepple describes the day of the shooting as a nightmare that he never thought would happen in their small, close-knit community. He remembers receiving the devastating news from his wife, who was working at the school at the time.
“I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it,” he recalls. “I remember thinking, ‘This can’t be happening. Not here.'”
As the days and weeks passed, Stepple and his family struggled to come to terms with their loss. But amidst the pain and grief, Stepple found a way to forgive the shooter.
“It wasn’t easy, but I knew that holding onto anger and hatred would only consume me,” he says. “Forgiveness was the only way I could move forward.”
Stepple also found solace in the support of his community, who came together to mourn and heal. He says the outpouring of love and kindness helped him find strength during the darkest moments.
Now, over 20 years later, Stepple continues to honor his daughter’s memory by advocating for gun control and speaking out against violence in schools. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can inspire others to choose forgiveness and find healing in the face of tragedy.
As the anniversary of the shooting approaches, Stepple says he will spend the day with his family, remembering Tabitha and cherishing the time they had together.
“I miss her every day, but I know she would want us to find peace and move forward,” he says. “Forgiveness is a powerful thing, and it has helped me find some sense of closure.”
As the interview comes to an end, Stepple’s message is clear: even in the face of unimaginable loss, forgiveness and love can prevail.
