1975 Ottawa School Shooting: Principal's Decision to Reopen Defended by Witness
A letter to the editor published in the Ottawa Citizen has challenged the characterization of how St. Pius X High School responded in the immediate aftermath of one of Canada's first school shootings in 1975. The letter writer, Cyril Butler of Ottawa, takes issue with a recent article by Chris Cobb that described Principal Father Lunney's actions as a "mistake."
Controversial Decision to Resume Classes
In his piece, Cobb wrote that Father Lunney "saw no reason the shooting should disrupt the school's agenda" when he allowed classes to resume the day after the October 27, 1975 shooting without trauma counselors present. Butler argues this portrayal is "an unfair mischaracterization" of the difficult decision-making process that occurred.
"At that time, there was little to no research or guidance to be had about how best to move forward after such a tragedy," writes Butler. "Father Lunney consulted widely that afternoon, including phoning my father, a medical doctor, and others in the school community, for their insights."
Historical Context of Trauma Response
Butler emphasizes that in 1975, there were no established "trauma teams" to call upon, and the consensus reached through consultation was that returning to school as soon as possible would be best for most students and staff. The thinking was that delaying return would reinforce anxiety about attending school.
"That consensus was prescient," Butler asserts. "Today, it is generally accepted that returning to school as soon as possible is the best practice for most students. (It is certainly not best for all students.)"
Personal Account of Returning to School
The letter provides a firsthand perspective on what it was like to return to the scene of the trauma. "I know it was surreal for us to be back at Pius the next day," Butler writes, "walking that same hall and returning to the classroom in the same wing, 24 hours after having run as fast as we could away from the building."
Butler suggests that delaying the return might have prevented some students from coming back at all. "I am not sure some of us would have returned had that return been delayed for very long," the letter states.
Broader Implications for School Trauma Response
This defense of the principal's decision comes nearly five decades after the tragic event that left one student dead and another injured. The exchange highlights how understanding of trauma response has evolved over time, while also providing historical context for how schools have grappled with unimaginable crises.
The original shooting occurred when a student brought a rifle to the Ottawa school and opened fire in a classroom. Students reportedly smashed windows with furniture and jumped eight feet to the ground to escape the violence.
Butler's letter serves as a reminder that historical decisions must be understood within their contemporary context, and that what might appear questionable through a modern lens may have been considered reasonable based on the knowledge and resources available at the time.
