Carson City IHOP shooting victims, survivors remembered in memorial run

Dozens of runners and walkers, including Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, took to the streets of the capital city early Sunday for a remembrance run to recognize the victims of the Sept. 6, 2011 shooting at the IHOP in Carson City.

Four years ago Sunday, Nevada Guardsmen Lt. Col. Heath Kelly, 35, Master Sgt. Christian Riege, 38, Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney, 31, and civilian Florence Donovan-Gunderson, 67, of South Lake Tahoe, were killed in the shooting rampage, in which the mentally ill gunman took his own life. Two other soldiers and seven patrons suffered injuries.

Joined by Brig. Gen Michael Hanifan, Commander Nevada Army National Guard, Gov. Sandoval was among the dozens of soldiers and airman, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and families participating in the annual event.

“It makes me proud to be with you today, coming together as a family — a Nevada family,” said Sandoval. “No one will ever forget this tragedy. Our thoughts and our prayers go to the families today.”

Sunday’s memorial run was the second for the Nevada governor. Three months after the shooting, Sandoval and Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong were the first ones in line when IHOP re-opened, a significant moment as the Nevada Nevada Guard and the Carson City community was still coming to terms with what happened.

Gen. Hanifan spoke of keeping the memories and spirit of those who died alive through the remembrance run, saying it shows the Nevada National Guard, the families and the Carson City community are resilient in a time of tragedy. He also recognized the survivors of the shooting, noting the run is also for them and what they went through.

“I know this will keep going. It is important for us to show this resilience on one the most tragic days. It shows we cannot be defeated by one lone person,” said Hanifan.

Run organizer Laura Boldry, a captain with the Nevada Army National Guard, said she was “overwhelmed” by the number of people at Sunday’s event, which was close to 100 participants. Last year's event drew about 24 participants.

Boldry organized the run as a tribute to Kelly, Riege and McElhiney, who she worked alongside at the National Guard and for Florence Donovan-Gunderson, a civilian killed in the gunfire. She said it is the community’s way of keeping their spirits alive in memory.

“It’s our way of saying thank you and that they will never be forgotten,” she said.

"As I reflect back to September 6th, 2011, I commented then that 'we will rebuild, but we will never forget' those who suffered and died on that day," said Sheriff Furlong in a Facebook post Sunday. "It is our strength as a community, and our resolve to overcome, that will never be broken.

"Carson City has emerged from our losses with a much greater realization of the public safety impact that mental health has on our community. And as the years have passed, stronger and stronger coalitions have developed locally with resources that are intended to prevent catastrophes such as we witnessed. I am proud to lay claim that many initiatives that are being pursued today had their foundations right here in this city.

"I ask that you take a moment of reflection this morning, whether at church, home, or wherever you may be, and honor all of those in our community who suffered so dearly both then and to this day."

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell said the capital city suffered a tragedy that left lasting scars but strength that has followed.

"As a community we want to let those who were injured or those who lost loved ones during the IHOP incident know that we continue to stand with them and offer our hearts and helping hands. We also stand with those first responders and others in our community who were so deeply affected by the events of that day," said Crowell on his Facebook page.

"When events such as Sept. 6 occur, they awaken the psyche of a community and remind us of the fragility of life. They remind us that while evil occurs, a community survives through the strength and resolve of its citizens —each helping the other in a collective bond of care and concern. They remind us that out of adversity comes strength and resolve.

Today let us remember well the past but dwell upon the future and commit ourselves to making our City and the world around us a better place to live."