Anxious residents seek answers from Merritt officials

Anxious to reassure a shaken community, municipal officials in Merritt, B.C.,scheduled a town hall meeting for Thursday morning to discuss the recent killings of three young children in their trailer home.

The aim of the meeting at the Merritt Civic Centre is to keep 7,000 residents up to date as homicide investigators continue the search for the children's father, Allan Schoenborn, who is wanted on suspicion of killing daughter Kaitlynne, 10, and sons Max, 8, and Cordon, 5, on Sunday.

Municipal officials say Merritt residents were horrified to learn that such a tragedy had occurred in their south central B.C. community.

As a result, members of the RCMP, the local school district and experts in emotional trauma were planning to be on hand to answer any questions residents might have.

"In any emergency, and major incident that happens in any community, it's very important for the citizens to feel that they are getting information directly from the people involved, that they are in the loop, and that not everything is being done through the media,'' said Ruth Tolerton, corporate services manager at Merritt City Hall.

Tolerton said residents will be able to get the information they seek directly from public agencies.

RCMP Const. Annie Linteau said police will provide as much information as possible, without jeopardizing the investigation.

"The detachment commander will be there. He lives in this community, and can certainly appreciate and understand what concerns the public may have," Linteau said.