We never think a mass shooting will happen in our towns. They only happen in “other places,” like New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New Orleans, etc. But then, I’m sure the people of Littleton, Colorado never thought a bloody massacre would happen in Columbine High School. 13 dead. I’m sure the families and townspeople of Newtown, Connecticut never predicted a crazed young man would slaughter 20 schoolchildren and six adults in a tragedy that broke the hearts of Americans everywhere.
And here in Moscow, Idaho, we never thought the words “mass shooting” would ever be associated with our quiet little college town. And yet, here we are, one day after three people were killed and one person was injured by a lone gunman. The suspected shooter, 29-year-old John Lee, of Moscow, allegedly went to the office of his landlord, David Trail, 76, and shot him and Michael Chin, a 39-year-old Seattle resident, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then Lee went to Arby’s, a restaurant his parents often visited, and asked for the manager. When Belinda Niebuhr, 47, appeared, he allegedly shot her. Lee also shot and killed his adoptive mother, Terri Grzebielski, at her home on Veatch Street. Terri, David, and Belinda passed away. Michael, who was raised in Moscow and knew David from childhood, was shot in the arm and leg and is now in stable condition in a Spokane, WA hospital.
Lee was apprehended after leading police on a 24-mile car chase and crashing his car north of Colfax, Washington. Five guns were found in his vehicle, including three handguns, a shotgun, and a rifle. He’s now in the Whitman County Jail, while Moscow Police work on extraditing him to Latah County. I have no doubt justice will be served. And I am anxious as anyone to find out what Lee’s motive was.
But for right now, I join the Moscow community in mourning the loss of Terri, David, and Belinda. These people were our neighbors. I didn’t know any of the victims personally, but I worked with David’s sister-in-law several times while I worked at the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Many of my friends owe their health to Terri, who worked as a Physician’s Assistant at the University of Idaho Student Health Center. And Belinda was loved by everyone who met her.
I know three fatalities might seem like small potatoes compared to other mass shootings in this country, but it’s a very big deal to this town. We are small, with a population of 25,000 (when all the college students are here), which means there’s a good chance each of us is connected to this shooting in some way. Whether it be knowing the victims or their families and friends, or being physically close to the places where each murder occurred, we’re all affected somehow.
It breaks my heart to see Moscow mourning. I’ve only lived here since 2009. I attended the University of Idaho and when I graduated in 2013, I didn’t leave. I love this little town, and it’s kind, quirky people. It’s become my home. And while yesterday’s shooting was incredibly tragic and awful, I know the community will pull through. Sadly, they’ve done it before. And I know my neighbors will be there for the families and friends of the victims, because that’s just how it is in this town.
To the families of the victims, I am so very sorry for your loss. Words cannot express.
To our law enforcement officers, first responders, and hospital workers, thank you for your swift response to this tragedy. It’s because of you that this incident was not worse.
To the people of Moscow, keep your heads up and be kind to each other. As one of my professors says, that’s all we have sometimes.
Meredith Metsker 
Well said. Thank you.
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I lived in Pullman with my family , we visited Moscow many times to shopping to visit some friends to Islamic center .It is a beautiful town , their people very nice people. I am so sad to hear that. To the families of the victims, I am so sorry for your loos. God blesse you.
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This is actually the second time, we went through this in 2007, as well.
You never think it’ll happen once, much less twice.
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I’ve heard and read a lot about the 2007 shootings. So senseless and tragic.
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Yes, we lived there when it happened in 2007. Hard to believe it’s happened again.
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My heart goes out to EVERYONE dealing with this tragic situation, including Michael Chin and his family. Even though he wasn’t from this town and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, his death is still just as tragic and heartbreaking to his own family and friends. It seems tragic and wrong to leave him out of those to be mourned simply because he wasn’t part of the town, doesn’t it?
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Sandra,
Thank you for your comment. Michael Chin is not deceased. He was shot in the arm and leg and is in stable condition in a Spokane, WA hospital. He is most certainly in our thoughts and prayers.
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My apologies, all the information I had it appeared he too, had died. I am very relieved to hear he has survived. And, I meant no disrespect, I have been in a similar situation and was thinking of his family.
Again, my heart is with you all. This is certainly a tragedy that should never have happened. ♥
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He did grow up here and went to high school here class of “94
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Although Michael is from Seattle, he was raised in Moscow. He was in our 4-H club (David Trail was one of the leaders along with his wife, Suzie, and brother Tom and his wife Jo Ann Trail. Michael was in town to visit his parents and was seeing my Uncle David to presumably discuss his life insurance.
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Thank you for the information, Steve. I’ll add that into my post. And I’m really sorry for your loss. 😦 You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
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I’m a stranger from Iowa and just came across this after hearing about it on the news. Condolences on the loss of your uncle and friend. So Sorry. It seems senseless. take care.
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You worked at the Snooze too, hm? I was an assistant DM in Circulation back in ’99 – ’00. I also worked at the Arby’s on Peterson off and on, doing maintenance work for Happy Day Corporation. My sister-in-law manages the Lewiston Orchards Arby’s. It is truly shocking when something like this hits so close to home.
May justice be served, swiftly, and with great vengeance.
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I statred college at Virginia Tech. Finished my degree at the University of Idaho. Two small land grant universities from my personal timeline with mass shootings. I’m sorry but why should anyone worry about being shot in class, paying their rent or getting lunch. Guns are too readily available in this country. Never thought the US could catch up with South africa on gun violence…but we are catching up…quickly 😦
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So very sad that this happened in our beloved Moscow. There are so many threads that weave us together. Although I didn’t know any of the victims personally, I know their families. My dad was a fraternity brother with Mr. Trail. You just can’t believe that something like this could happen so close to home. Thank you for your words Meredith.
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Moscow is home. Raised there going through all the schools including the university. Left a long time ago for employment, but Moscow is still the only place I call “home.” It means a lot to me to have a heartfelt article like this. Thank you.
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My family came from Miscow, my grandparents moved there in the 1920s, mr grandpa Dr. Paul Eke, was head of the Ag. economics at U of I for decades. A great town and wonderful people, sometimes people do senseless horrible things, sorry to hear this news.
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Belinda was my aunt in law, she as only a year older than me, so she was like an older sister when i was growing up. She was fun to be around. She was getting her life back together and was very excited about her manager position she had worked hard for. Please pray for all of the victims families. Thank you.
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Well-written report, except for one aside. Three fatalities is never small potatoes, anywhere to anyone.
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Thanks for the excellent article, Meredith. I was in Moscow when this event happened, and it just seemed so horrific, but I was impressed to see that mere hours after the tragedy occurred, the community was already responding with an outpouring of love, kindness, and support, coming together to mark the sites with flowers and candles. Thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected by this horrible tragedy.
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