CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 23, 2022 – Crisis-trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) are responding to Chesapeake, Virginia, where a Walmart manager reportedly opened fire and killed six people before turning the gun on himself. This comes just days after a gunman killed five people and left dozens injured at a nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, late Saturday night.
“It is devastating to hear that another mass shooting has taken place. We are praying for the families impacted by this horrific tragedy, especially just before Thanksgiving,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to listen, comfort, pray with and share God’s love with those who have been impacted by this shooting.” BG-RRT is sending several chaplains, who will arrive tonight and begin ministering immediately, as needed.
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in six locations. Besides Chesapeake, Virginia, chaplains have been comforting those grieving after the mass shooting in Colorado Springs. They are also serving in three areas of Florida after Hurricane Ian battered the southwest coast of the state. In addition, chaplains are offering hope and providing emotional comfort and spiritual care to families who have been forced to flee their homes in Ukraine.
For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit the BG-RRT press kit or BillyGraham.org/RRT. Updates can also be found at Facebook.com/RRTChaplains.
Media Opportunities
- Interviews with
- Josh Holland, international director for the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team
- Chaplain coordinators on the ground in Chesapeake, Virginia
- B-Roll and photos
- For media inquiries, please contact Christine Batchelder at cbatchelder@bgea.org, (704) 724-6851.
About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team:
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into an international network of chaplains in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to more than 680 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
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