MARYSVILLE – With so many people wanting to help, and police worried about potential scams, victims of the Marysville-Pilchuck shooting have one reliable place where they can go for funds.
That would be the Crime Victims Compensation Fund. As of Sept. 30, the fund has given out more than $13 million to crime victims this year.
Funds are available not only to families of victims who have died, but also to those who are wounded and even those who may have witnessed the shooting, which killed three and critically wounded three others.
Cletus Nnanabu, program manager for the fund, said Oct. 29 that his department has contacted victim advocate groups locally to tell them funds would be available.
“We are working closely to make sure every child, every student, is aware of our program,” Nnanabu said.
The fund pays up to $5,750 for funeral expenses, and also grief counseling for family members. It pays up to $50,000 for medical expenses.
Nnanabu encourages students and faculty who were in the cafeteria to file claims, also.
“Years down the road it could trigger PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder),” he said, adding if they file now it is easier to reopen the case once “they leave mom and dad’s house.”
Any teachers who may have to miss work as a result of the tragedy could be reimbursed through the program.
Nnanabu said the fund is a payment of last resort. So, if victims have private insurance that would pay first, with the fund “kicking in after that,” he said.
He added that the police and FBI are working on a crime report that all victims could use in filing. Copies would just be made. It used to be each victim had to file such a report.
“It’s just to make it easier,” on the victims, Nnanabu said.
The fund came about because of the 1973 Crime Victims Compensation Act. It is awarded through the Labor and Industries department.
