After fatal Fred Meyer shooting, store execs and Tri-Cities SARC were there for employees

On February 7th, I received this text from my cousin in Florida: “So glad you’re not in Richland. Crazy world!” As I was out of town, I had no idea what she was talking about. The shock and sadness I felt when I read about the senseless killing of an innocent man and wounding of another innocent person at Fred Meyer was heartbreaking beyond belief.

And this is MY Fred Meyer! My sense of ease had been shattered.

Then imagine what it did to the people who work there, who were there when this insanity ensued, who have to walk through those doors every day, replaying that tragic day with every step.

Kroger, Fred Meyer’s parent company, sprang into action, realizing time was of the essence in reaching out to help their associates get through this. Sadly, this was not a new situation for Kroger. The company now has had three active shooter situations in a year.

Ted Schaefer, Kroger Vice President, reached out to Ami McCarthy, Training Director with the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, for advice. Ami then Googled Victim Services in the Tri Cities and contacted the Support Advocacy and Resource Center (SARC) and spoke with Executive Director JoDee Garretson.

Ami, JoDee and top Kroger management met to develop a means to guide their associates through their trauma journey. JoDee was immediately impressed with how victim-centered Kroger executives were. It was obvious that their main concern, above all else related to the corporation, was the well-being of their associates as they returned to the store.

A Town Hall was organized by Kroger with Executives from Kroger, Fred Meyer’s President, Richland Police Department Interim Chief Brigit Clary, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Andy Miller, Ami and SARC staff all on hand. Therapy dogs from Therapy Dogs of Tri Cities were there to help. The purpose was to gather the staff for the first time since the shooting to provide information about the reopening and the services available to them from SARC as well as from Kroger.

Since SARC was an available resource center, Kroger didn’t have to search to find a place where they could set up their own resource center, saving time for all. As associates entered the store during days set aside just for them prior to a full reopening, trauma experts from SARC were there to walk with them, to talk with them and to offer support in whatever way needed.

Because of reports of the shots sounding like balloons popping, all balloons were removed from the store, yet another example of Kroger’s empathy for their associates.

Advocacy from SARC is and will continue to be available to any associates who feel the need for further support. SARC is one of the few trauma-focused resources in the Tri Cities.

How quickly the plan of action came together to ensure total support for those affected is a credit to all involved. We should all be extremely grateful for the management at Kroger, strongly focused on their associates’ well-being, and to the staff at SARC who did what they do best: provide support and advocacy to those in need when they need it for as long as they need it.

This partnership, forged during this unbelievable tragedy in our community, was there to lend a hand and a heart. As a result, Kroger has pledged a $20,000 grant for SARC. Thank you all! And to the Fred Meyer associates, we wish you strength and peace.

This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 4:00 PM.