After mass shootings, this little-known FBI unit focuses on helping victims
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Frank Bignami's wife, Autumn, was clinging to life on a hospital bed, a tube in her throat, when he heard that somebody from the FBI wanted to see him.
It was Oct. 2, 2017, the day after a gunman turned a Las Vegas country music festival into a killing field.
Frank was just grazed, but Autumn had been shot three times, in the back, hand and face. She had not woken up. Their three children were back home near Los Angeles.
Frank expected to be interviewed as a witness. But when the FBI's Cheryl Moores approached him outside the hospital room, she explained that an interview was not on her agenda.
“I'm a part of the FBI that helps people through this,” she said, as Frank recalls it.
Cheryl Moores, an FBI victim specialist, is part of a little-known division in the FBI whose members deploy in the wake of mass casualty events to help in any and every way they can. NBC News
Moores, an FBI victim specialist, is part of a little-known division in the FBI whose members deploy in the wake of mass casualty events like the ones last weekend in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. While FBI agents in their familiar blue vests do the painstaking work of criminal investigation, members of the Victims Services Division, as it’s called, fan out to help those immediately affected by the incident — in any and every way they can.
NO POLITICS.....ADDRESS THE ARTICLE/FBI/VICTIMS OR DON'T COMMENT.
I'm imagine that not many people are aware of this FBI unit.
I had no idea something like this existed within the FBI. Although I hate that there is a need for such a unit, it's nice to know they are there.
I had no idea that this unit existed. What a wonderful help to people going through what most of us could never imagine.
It seems that Ms. Moores isn't the only person who had a high opinion of the Bignamis. Warning: Grab some Kleenex.
A thousand thumbs up.
They seem like great people.
It takes a very special group of people to do what they do. Kudos to them all and the job they do.
Very informative article Kavika and thank you for the video Sandy.
I certainly had no idea such a division existed within the FBI.
I wonder if smaller scale organizations exist in local communities and we are just not aware of them?
I imagine that in many localities, such duties would fall to social services, if they're government-funded at all. In larger cities, they might be, but I doubt they exist in most small towns.
That makes sense, especially for the small towns and their limited resources.
Many may not be aware of what social services may have to offer, I am certainly not.
In times like this, I imagine many would not seek out help for either social services or other local agencies. Such folks could very easily be overcome.
This is where neighbors looking out for neighbors could play a key role in alerting any local agencies of fellow neighbors in need.
It would seem that the members of this unit have to be a bit special...They see the aftermath of these horrific instances and how they affect the victim, family and friends.
A salute to all of them.
I can't imagine what they take home with them at night. I hope they also are getting adequate emotional support.
I do as well.