I'm writing this with a heavy heart, some real anger, and even more hope. I wanted to let the OB know, because some of you have been here and might have met him. I also would greatly appreciate your prayers for my church, community, and everyone who is grieving.
TLDR: guy tries to rob a local sporting goods store, and ends up murdering one of the nicest men in the world. He was a pillar of our community, and impacted MANY peole's lives. He was a dear friend and beloved family member in my church.
Details- mostly therapy for me to write them out and share
We have a local sporting goods shop in Pagosa Springs called "The Ski & Bow Rack". It is an amazing little place, where you can find some killer gear, hit the archery range. buy a license, or rent skis. It was owned and operated by Larry Fisher, and managed by Bruno, his nephew. If you ever came in and met them, you will certainly remember. Larry was the nicest guy you ever met- 71 years old, in phenomenal shape, white mustache. If you were looking for something, he would walk you through the store and personally ensure you had every question answered. He knew every nook and cranny of these mountains, and generously gave advice to any sportsman. Bruno, well, you can't miss Bruno because he is literally 7 feet tall- a real gentle giant. Always has a smile on his face And took the time to greet and help you, wether you were the only customer or there was a line of people out the door.
Last night, Larry was working by himself after hours. and a guy came in to rob the place.. I'm not exactly sure how the guy got inside. Larry ended up struggling with him before being shot in the chest, and then fought the guy for several minutes after. This piece of trash ended up escaping, with nothing more than a couple jackets. Larry probably would have just GIVEN the guy some merch or money had he just asked. The suspect is still at large. Police have several leads- but the most promising person of interest is still MIA. Pray he gets found- this community needs the closure and security. Most likely guy was a local.
Larry was rushed to the hospital, and then life flighted to Denver- with his daughter (who is an EMS in town) on the plane by his side. He made it to one hospital on the fixed wing, but then they had to take him via helo to another hospital. He crashed en route, daughter still by his side.
I stood in the parking lot with Bruno and some of the employess of the Ski & Bow Rack through the night, just trying to listen and console- just crying with them. They are all like family to each other, and about 3/4 go to my church. As dawn broke, an amazing peace set in as we knew that Larry was seeing his first sunrise in heaven and the amazing fulfillment of his faith in Christ. Then people started showing up to get their ski rentals. So another guy and myself started heading people off, directing them to other rental places in town. We apologized and acknowledge that they had reservations, but said there was a tragedy and the store couldn't fulfill them this morning. Despite the police vehicles with lights on, cops running around, crime scene tape everywhere, and clearly traumatized people standing in circles crying- some people were still ticked that they couldn't get their skis. That really hacked me off- to be honest. But I just tried to be kind, smile, apologize, and send them on down the road.
Larry was the sort of man who would give you the shirt off of his back. When I first moved to Pagosa, I told him I needed advice on a backpacking stove. He told me to come in to the store, and he showed me the nicest MSR stove he had. It was out of my price range, so I thanked him and said I was going to Walmart for a cheaper one. He called me the next day and told me he had one in a "damaged box" he couldn't sell, he would give me a deal on it. He left it at the counter for me, and the only "damage" was where he broke the tape on the box to open and make sure all parts were there... and he wouldn't let me pay him for it. That's the kind of guy he was. SO many men in our town got their first job fitting skis or guiding fly trips for Larry. He always had a team of young men and women he absolutely poured himself into.
He was also a good friend. I only knew him for about 2 years, but we spent a lot of time shoot bows, hiking canyons, chasing mule deer, or nymphing trout together. He was a true man of faith, and a dedicated family member of our church. We spent long hours talking about science and faith, and trying to find God's handiwork in these mountains. I will truly miss him.
Please pray for his family- especially his daughter (who we are very close to, works with my wife) and his nephew, who has to pick up the pieces of the store while dealing with grief. This is their busiest week of the whole year. I am going to go into the store in the morning and see how I can help as they reopen- there will be a crazy line of people wanting to rent/return skis. I've never done that before, but I'm sure there is some sort of grunt work I can help take off the staff's plate.
Pray for us as we try to walk with this family through this tragedy as best we possibly can. This is going to be a LONG week. This is a small mountain town- stuff like this just doesn't happen here. It is sending increaible shock waves though our community. I already have more calls than I can possibly field- but I have to focus on Larry's Family right now.
TLDR: guy tries to rob a local sporting goods store, and ends up murdering one of the nicest men in the world. He was a pillar of our community, and impacted MANY peole's lives. He was a dear friend and beloved family member in my church.
Details- mostly therapy for me to write them out and share
We have a local sporting goods shop in Pagosa Springs called "The Ski & Bow Rack". It is an amazing little place, where you can find some killer gear, hit the archery range. buy a license, or rent skis. It was owned and operated by Larry Fisher, and managed by Bruno, his nephew. If you ever came in and met them, you will certainly remember. Larry was the nicest guy you ever met- 71 years old, in phenomenal shape, white mustache. If you were looking for something, he would walk you through the store and personally ensure you had every question answered. He knew every nook and cranny of these mountains, and generously gave advice to any sportsman. Bruno, well, you can't miss Bruno because he is literally 7 feet tall- a real gentle giant. Always has a smile on his face And took the time to greet and help you, wether you were the only customer or there was a line of people out the door.
Last night, Larry was working by himself after hours. and a guy came in to rob the place.. I'm not exactly sure how the guy got inside. Larry ended up struggling with him before being shot in the chest, and then fought the guy for several minutes after. This piece of trash ended up escaping, with nothing more than a couple jackets. Larry probably would have just GIVEN the guy some merch or money had he just asked. The suspect is still at large. Police have several leads- but the most promising person of interest is still MIA. Pray he gets found- this community needs the closure and security. Most likely guy was a local.
Larry was rushed to the hospital, and then life flighted to Denver- with his daughter (who is an EMS in town) on the plane by his side. He made it to one hospital on the fixed wing, but then they had to take him via helo to another hospital. He crashed en route, daughter still by his side.
I stood in the parking lot with Bruno and some of the employess of the Ski & Bow Rack through the night, just trying to listen and console- just crying with them. They are all like family to each other, and about 3/4 go to my church. As dawn broke, an amazing peace set in as we knew that Larry was seeing his first sunrise in heaven and the amazing fulfillment of his faith in Christ. Then people started showing up to get their ski rentals. So another guy and myself started heading people off, directing them to other rental places in town. We apologized and acknowledge that they had reservations, but said there was a tragedy and the store couldn't fulfill them this morning. Despite the police vehicles with lights on, cops running around, crime scene tape everywhere, and clearly traumatized people standing in circles crying- some people were still ticked that they couldn't get their skis. That really hacked me off- to be honest. But I just tried to be kind, smile, apologize, and send them on down the road.
Larry was the sort of man who would give you the shirt off of his back. When I first moved to Pagosa, I told him I needed advice on a backpacking stove. He told me to come in to the store, and he showed me the nicest MSR stove he had. It was out of my price range, so I thanked him and said I was going to Walmart for a cheaper one. He called me the next day and told me he had one in a "damaged box" he couldn't sell, he would give me a deal on it. He left it at the counter for me, and the only "damage" was where he broke the tape on the box to open and make sure all parts were there... and he wouldn't let me pay him for it. That's the kind of guy he was. SO many men in our town got their first job fitting skis or guiding fly trips for Larry. He always had a team of young men and women he absolutely poured himself into.
He was also a good friend. I only knew him for about 2 years, but we spent a lot of time shoot bows, hiking canyons, chasing mule deer, or nymphing trout together. He was a true man of faith, and a dedicated family member of our church. We spent long hours talking about science and faith, and trying to find God's handiwork in these mountains. I will truly miss him.
Please pray for his family- especially his daughter (who we are very close to, works with my wife) and his nephew, who has to pick up the pieces of the store while dealing with grief. This is their busiest week of the whole year. I am going to go into the store in the morning and see how I can help as they reopen- there will be a crazy line of people wanting to rent/return skis. I've never done that before, but I'm sure there is some sort of grunt work I can help take off the staff's plate.
Pray for us as we try to walk with this family through this tragedy as best we possibly can. This is going to be a LONG week. This is a small mountain town- stuff like this just doesn't happen here. It is sending increaible shock waves though our community. I already have more calls than I can possibly field- but I have to focus on Larry's Family right now.