California

The Pathway Home Veterans Program Closing After Fatal Shootings

As a North Bay mental health program announced it is closing indefinitely after a combat veteran killed three workers, a candlelight vigil was held for the victims in Brentwood.

The Pathway Home board of directors announced Wednesday that it was suspending its operations indefinitely at the country's largest veterans home.

Later Wednesday, dozens of people gathered at Veterans Park in Brentwood for a candlelight vigil to remember Jennifer Gonzales, Jennifer Golick and Christine Loeber. The message: Moving forward.

Pathway counseled veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome and brain injuries sustained in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Brentwood's Rotary Club contributed funds to the program, so veterans in the East Bay city wanted to pay their respects.

"We can’t stop something, but we can bring a little bit of relief," one veteran said.

Authorities say Albert Wong fatally shot two Pathway therapists and the program's director Friday. The 36-year-old Wong had recently been expelled from the in-patient program. He also was found dead.

Pathway was housed in a building on the campus of the California Veterans Home in Yountville.

Pathway spokesman Larry Kamer said the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and local nonprofits will now help veterans enrolled in the program.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us