FERGUS – The family of Lucas Shortreed, who was killed in a hit-and-run crime 14 years ago, is extending an open invitation to the community to attend a gathering at the Graham Giddy Funeral Home in Fergus on Thanksgiving Day.
“We’re just trying to have an opportunity for people to come and talk to us, but also to talk to each other as a community,” Shortreed’s mother Judie Moore told the Advertiser by phone on Wednesday.
The invitation comes following last week’s development in the cold case and search for who struck and killed the 18-year-old on Oct. 10, 2008.
On Sept. 21, two Wellington North residents, David Alexander Halliburton and Anastasia Marie Halliburton, were arrested in Mapleton and charged in relation to Shortreed’s death.
The community, Moore said, is frustrated and unsure how to respond to the fact that two county residents are suspected of hitting her son and leaving him to die, while moving on with their own lives and keeping it all a secret.
“I get nothing but supportive messages,” Moore said.
But it can be a lot – “I still just feel very numb to it all” – and Moore feels the community needs to come together and talk with one another as well.
Community members are invited to offer their respects and have a brief visit at the funeral home before continuing on.
“I think this will be a positive note for the community,” Moore said, adding the family hopes “lots of Luc’s friends show up.”
Moore, her sons and brothers; Lucas’ sister, Jenneen Beattie; and Lucas’ grandfather, Gerald Shortreed, plan to be there.
“I do want it to be a sense of ‘Let’s put this behind us and move on with just celebrating Lucas now,'” Moore said.
In an event posting on Facebook, Beattie wrote that the family is wanting to thank the Centre Wellington community for its ongoing support.
“We would like to personally thank you for your support, so please stop by our open house to promote healing, to give thanks, and share the love alongside our fellow Centre Wellington community members,” Beattie wrote.
The gathering takes place on Oct. 10 (Thanksgiving Day) at the Graham Giddy Funeral Home (280 St. David St. S.) in Fergus from 1 to 4pm.
