Retired Newfoundland teacher killed, son injured in Jordan shootings

CTV News Channel: Woman killed in Jordan mourned NTV's Don Bradshaw reports on the 62-year-old retired Canadian teacher killed in a shooting in Jordan is being remembered by her community.

A retired teacher from Burgeo, Nfld. was fatally shot in Jordan while visiting her son in the Middle Eastern country, CTV News has learned.

Linda Vatcher was killed after gunmen ambushed Jordanian police in a series of attacks on Sunday. Her son, Chris Vatcher, was wounded in the attack, family members told CTV News.

At least 10 people were killed and 34 wounded in the bloody siege in and around Karak, about 140 kilometres south of the capital city of Amman. Jordanian officials say gunmen opened fire on a police station in Karak Castle, a Crusader fort and popular tourist destination, and a security patrol elsewhere in the city.

The mayor of Burgeo, Barbara Barter, told The Canadian Press that she grew up with Vatcher and stayed in touch with her after the former elementary school teacher moved to Corner Brook, Nfld. with her husband and two sons about a decade ago.

Barter said she was “stunned” when she learned of her friend’s death on Sunday evening. Vatcher, a widow, had recently travelled to the Middle East to spend Christmas with her son Chris, according to Barter.

Barb Rhymes, Vatcher’s cousin, told The Associated Press how much her relative meant to the small town of Burgeo.

“She was very friendly, outgoing. She was nice to everyone. A friend to all," Rhymes said. “It's devastating. It has hit the town hard. My mind is not there right now. She was a beautiful person.”

Vatcher will also be remembered for her tireless work with charities. She was a longtime volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society in Newfoundland and an active with the local Salvation Army food bank.

Jane Ash, who runs the Salvation Army in Corner Brook, remembers Vatcher making a point of stopping by early last week before departing for the Middle East. She said Vatcher handed out Christmas cards and brought in a donation for the holiday toy drive. Nobody imagined it would be her final visit.

“She said, ‘I want to make sure this is done before I go,’ Ash told NTV. “It’s difficult for us. The volunteers are struggling. We are all struggling to come to terms with this news.”

Friend and fellow Canadian Cancer Society volunteer Nichole Patten told CTV News Channel she was “completely shocked” and “devastated” by the news of her friend’s death.

“I’ll remember Linda’s kindhearted eagerness to help others (and) her true leadership skills in volunteerism, in particular on the west coast of Newfoundland,” Patten said Monday. “She had a personal connection to the cause like many and was certainly someone that we could always call on.”

Tributes from the retired teacher’s family, former students and friends poured in on social media on Sunday.

Canadian officials tweeted a warning to any Canadian tourists in the region to avoid Karak. Officials have also confirmed that one Canadian was killed and another injured.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement on Monday offering his sympathies to Vatcher’s loved ones.

“I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of a Canadian and the injury of her son in a terrorist attack that took place in Karak, Jordan, that has left several dead and many more injured,” the statement said. “On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of all the victims of this heinous act of violence. We pray that those injured will have a complete and speedy recovery."

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion offered condolences to the victims’ loved ones and said the Canadian embassy is providing consular assistance to Canadians in the area.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball said Vatcher was “enjoying herself as a tourist and just happened to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time,” adding the incident “once again informs us all of the uncertainties that we create when we travel.”

Newfoundland and Labrador Public Services and Procurement Minister Judy Foote said, “It’s heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. You hear news like this and it’s always hard to take.”

In a statement, Global Affairs Canada said that Canadian officials in Amman are “actively working with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to Canadians at this difficult time.”

With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press