Northern Ontario bank addresses shooting that left one severely injured

Workers and management at a credit union in Northern Ontario are struggling with the aftermath of a shooting two weeks ago.

On Dec. 12, Bridgette Hagen was working at the Northern Credit Union in Wawa, 200 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, when a shooter entered the bank and opened fire. She was hit twice.

Her husband, Kevin Hagen, says Bridgette had to be airlifted to a hospital in Sudbury. She has since had her arm amputated and sustained injuries to her lungs and colon. Her femur was shattered and had to be reconstructed with screws.

The shooting has shocked the small northern Ontario community and Hagen's colleagues. By Monday afternoon, a GoFundMe campaign to support the family had raised more than $133,000.

Northern Credit Union president and CEO Richard Adams says the incident has "rocked" and "deeply shaken" the organization. 

He said the credit union has regularly met with Wawa employees and their families to provide support and essential resources. It has also been offering small holiday gifts to remind employees they are in the organization's thoughts.  the company has also provided meals for first responders.

"No one at Northern should feel alone in their time of need, and our response also includes the needs of employees beyond Wawa," Adams said in a statement.

He also announced a $10,000 donation to the Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation to support the hospital's commitment to providing essential care to Wawa and the surrounding area.

Kadean Ogilvie, the foundation's chief executive officer, says the impact of the incident continues to reverberate throughout the community.

"What is encouraging, though, is the tremendous display of support we've seen from residents and the community coming together in general," Ogilvie said. "We really appreciate the recognition from Northern Credit Union and their $10,000 donation. This will go toward equipment needs our team has been working to address."

Ogilvie said the hospital urgently needs ultrasound equipment and support for its emergency department.

Efforts are underway to restore the Wawa Northern Credit Union branch, with in-person services expected to resume the week of Jan. 6.