♡Help Survivors of Shannon Ave Shooting♡
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I am composing this GoFundMe for my friend Kristina Hillsman, a hardworking single mother of 3 sweet kids. Esmerelda is 16, Oscar is 15, and Daisy is 6. I have known her for only a year, but she has a heart of gold. She continued working full time despite of the pandemic and refusing help even when she really needed it. Last weekend, something happened that changed all of our lives forever. 6:50pm - Saturday, December 11, 2021 will forever be ingrained in our memories. I brought Michael, a new friend over to have dinner and to hang out with Kristina & the kids. It was a very pleasant and relaxed day. Until someone let themselves in, a man just walks through the front door, he seemed very paranoid and uneasy. We later discovered he was under drug induced psychosis, and was hearing things. He was talking to Michael and I. Telling us random things, and asking questions. Michael was agreeing with him on something he told us, however I don't think that's what the man heard in his head. His face became dark, and cold. He then proceeded to pull a pistol out and charged towards Michael. There was nowhere to go, and it happened so quickly. The man shot Michael in the corner of the dining room. I wasn't sure if this was reality. I just couldn't comprehend what had just occurred. I sat and watched the man side step around the couch to me. He raised the pistol to shoot, to kill. It was as if the hands of time slowed him down, enough to allow me to my feet. Allowing me to kick him, down he went and the gun flew too. He scrambled and had the gun once more. I lunged again, as he ran towards me, I lunged towards him to get the gun away from my friends. I did that a few times. Kristina had come out of the bathroom and helped me get him out of the house. At one point he had tried aiming his pistol at each of us, including Esmerelda. When I looked and saw, I ran to Michael, and pulled him close to me, holding him, trying to blindly save him and stop the bleeding. Being told to apply pressure to the wound. There was no blood that I saw, I saw the small entry wound in his neck. I couldn't breathe, I just wanted him to open his eyes. To smile at me and tell me it was gonna be okay. It was too late, I held him in my arms, balwing and praying until the emergency personnel arrived. I continued that until hours later when the detective questioning me informed me, Michael did not make it. Michael E. Lindblom (MEL) is a hero, a Saint, an angel, and someone I will never forget and that will forever have a place in my heart. . He sacrificed himself to protect everyone in the house, which included 2 children and 2 teenagers. The shooter ran about a block down the street and attempted to kill himself. He failed, and is in the ICU. He stole the money Kristina had been saving for the family's Christmas. She tells me, this year, they may not have a Christmas. . It's been a week, and the kids are traumatized, they don't want to stay in the house. Every knock, bump or creak makes Esmerelda jump and causes panic. It all happened in the living room and dining room. The furniture is stained with blood, Kristina's home is no longer a home, thanks to that monster. Her and her children need a new home, new furniture, and a Christmas. If there were ever a family that needed and deserved help, it would be them!! I am starting this fund at $5,000. They will need first & last months rent, as well as a deposit, new living room furniture and dining room furniture, as well as a couple Christmas gifts. I would also like to donate 20% of the total raised to Michael's family in his honor. He was beautiful beyond imagination, genuinely kind and had a heart of gold. It's devastating, and it is extremely sad for everyone. I simply want my friend and her kids to be okay, and to feel safe, and to honor Michael in a way he deserves. Please help in any way you can. God Bless
Fundraising team: Fundraising team (2)
Aaron M. Bishop
Organizer
Spokane, WA
Aaron Bishop
Beneficiary
Kristina Hillsman
Team member