Shooting victim's Memorial Hospital 'family' grieves loss of one of their own

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Jeni Bishop one of five victims shot to death at Lane Bryant in Tinley Park

Jeni Bishop, 34, of South Bend was one of five women shot to death by a gunman at a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, Ill. on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. Bishop was an ICU nurse at Memorial Hospital. (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

SOUTH BEND — Friends remember Jennifer Bishop — one of five people murdered inside a clothing store outside Chicago.

The manhunt continues for the suspect who gunned down those women. That suspect not only shot all five women, but he also shot a sixth. With the gunman still on the loose, police have been protecting her identity.

Federal investigators are now helping police in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park. The shootings apparently happened during a botched robbery at the store.

Investigators say all the women were found tied up and shot in the head. The one woman who survived was shot in the neck and is recovering from her injuries.

Police describe the suspect as a stocky black man, about 5 feet 9 inches, who was seen wearing a black winter coat and knit cap.

While police are still searching for the suspect, the community is left to deal with the shock.

34-year-old Jeni Bishop of South Bend was the mother of three. She worked as a nurse in the intensive care unit at Memorial Hospital.

Many who work there say they spend more time with their Memorial family than they do with their own family. Support is the main thing that's helping many people get through this horrible tragedy.

"This is an extremely difficult time for them because it's beyond what most of us can normally fathom,” said Connie McCahill, vice president of nursing at Memorial.

The halls of Memorial Hospital are now quiet and somber.

"A lot of the nurses who knew and worked with Jeni are in shock and struggling to deal with it and accept it,” McCahill said.

"Her three kids lost their mom. She had a little girl who's going to be a teenager, and all little girls need their mom," said Jeni's friend Sarah Paturalski. "So unfortunately, he took that from them.”

Jeni worked in the intensive care unit — an environment that's exposed to a lot of trauma — and seeing it day in and day out often brings nurses closer.

"We, almost out of necessity, have to draw comfort and support from each other, and so when things are good we celebrate together and when things are bad we support each other," McCahill said.

The hospital is providing counselors for the staff and allowing them to stay home to grieve. But for many nurses, the hospital is the most comforting place to be.

"They all want to be here. They all want to be together,” McCahill explained. “They wanted to continue taking care of their patients just as Jeni would do."

Moving forward is difficult for those who knew her.

"But what we have to do is focus on keeping Jeni’s spirit and her light alive and remembering it," McCahill said.

The COO released a statement to the staff Monday reminding them to keep Jeni and her family in their thoughts and prayers. A memorial service will be held for employees at the hospital on Monday, Feb. 11.

Saturday, Feb 9 at 12:25 AM Adam McIntosh wrote ...

I don't know if it was a "hit" with 4 others as a diversion but the way the police are protecting teh survivor suggests that, at a minimum, the killer was a professional. Otherwise why puty the survivor in protective custody and have her family go into hiding?

Thursday, Feb 7 at 2:45 PM timm wrote ...

It's truelly awful but it wasn't a botched robbery. This was a hit with 4 other cover-ups.

Thursday, Feb 7 at 10:44 AM Crystal wrote ...

This is ashamed this happened and I can not imagine what her children must be going through. I came home late from work one night forgetting to tell my husband I had a doctors appointment and when I got home everybody was looking for me, my kids were upset and they were one second from calling the police. What if your mom never came home? I can't imagine what the answer would be. God bless your little hearts and just know she can still see you.

Wednesday, Feb 6 at 6:57 PM Miriam Karengo wrote ...

My heart goes to Brian and the kids. Jenny did not have to die in such a sensless way.I pray and trust that the hardworking authority will find this man and justice will be served.Jenny was such a sweet soft spoken young woman. Her and I did our orientation together at memorial ICU. She was such an encouragement with her calm nature especially in such a high paced environment. I will always remember her smile and as the person who introduced me to Hacienda.

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 9:12 PM Denise (Stabrowski) Demeter wrote ...

I have lost much sleep over this terrible tragedy.I saw Jeni's picture and recognized her right away. I remember her as Jeni VanHuffel from grade school and high school basketball. I am so saddened by this senseless act and my heart goes out to her family. I also have three children, all similar ages of Jeni's, and just feel so much pain by thinking of what those children are going through.My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.I have been remembering her laugh and will 4-ever think of it

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 12:16 PM chloe wrote ...

I have known the Van Huffel's for years as i went to school with jer brother and my kids had Mrs. V for a teacher. May God Be with her parents, husband, kids, brother and sister in their time of need.

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 10:14 AM julie wrote ...

I worked in tinley park 2 yrs ago. Its a very quiet town with not an awful lot of crime. When I heard of this story I was shocked as others, but more so because I spent 6 weeks at my training store there and saw it as a very friendly community. My heart goes out to all the victims as well as the shooters family. His actions destroyed many lives, including the lives of his own family.

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 8:39 AM Sharon wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers are with Jennifer's family and her many many friends at Memorial.

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 7:46 AM Jacki wrote ...

I am very sorry for the family's, but I find it very odd that someone would rob a clothing store for money. Are they looking into this with the possibility that he went there to kill someone that was there and make it look like a robbery? I just think it sounds fishy to me and others that I have talked to. I can't imagine what the family's are going through, but I hope they find this piece of scum and he never sees the light of day again. My prayers to the family's.

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 5:49 AM john wrote ...

i feel very very sorry for the familys that have to endure this . bless them .

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 5:02 AM Dona Heimann wrote ...

My daughter Bailey saw Jeni last Thursday at the school's Singing Bee for Spirit week and she was laughing and having a great time. Our family sends our prayers to Jeni's family and friends. May God bless all of you as you struggle with this tragic ending to a wonderful giving life.

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 1:25 AM Amber wrote ...

I don't know this lady personally, but what a tragic way to have your life ended. My thoughts go out to her family, especially her daughters.

Monday, Feb 4 at 11:23 PM Melissa (Lukaszewski) Murawski wrote ...

I don't even know where to start. I am in shock. Jen and I played Basketball throughout grade school and high school together. We were the forwards that knocked people around. We were like pillars. And yet we sometimes fought because we were so much alike. And here I sit, unable to believe that she is gone... Coach and Mts. VanHuffle, my prayers are with you. I am sooooooooooo sorry for your loss. You remain in my prayers. I'll never understand why her...

Monday, Feb 4 at 11:14 PM Han wrote ...

It's almost impossible that the perp hasn't already been in and out of the system. What do you people have against keeping someone inside a cage the first time they turn up on the radar?

Monday, Feb 4 at 11:13 PM unknown wrote ...

I am a mother of 4 and am very saddened by this horrifying story. My prayers and deepest sympathy go out to her family. May you find peace and comfort. God bless.

Monday, Feb 4 at 7:08 PM Maria Saviano wrote ...

I can't stop thinking about these horrible senseless killings. My children attend the same school as Jeni's son. My daughter had Jeni's mother as a teacher, and our son's played on the same baseball team. I many times chatted with Jeni in the stands. I want to give all my prayers to her husband, children, mother,father and sister. There are no words to help you through this, only prayers and the hope that she is in a wonderful place now watching over you all, protecting you all. I am so sorry.

Monday, Feb 4 at 6:42 PM Kathi Rn wrote ...

God Bless Jeni's children, and her family. I am sure Jeni has touched many lives during tragic times while working. Now she is in heaven.. I am so sorry for your loss.

Monday, Feb 4 at 6:15 PM Terri Eperjesi wrote ...

This is such a tragic and horrific story. My heart and prayers go out to the families. Such a senseless thing to happen. This hits very close to home, as my child goes to the same school as Jeni's oldest boy and his grandmother was a part-time teacher of my son last year. I don't how to give hope and relief for the family except to say, that I know everyone is praying for all of you. Jeni is in a good place, she is with God now, it is her family that needs our support and prayers. You have that.

Monday, Feb 4 at 5:46 PM Bill wrote ...

It struck me as ironic how many times she has probably taken care of gunshot victims only to succumb so the same thing.

Monday, Feb 4 at 4:19 PM missygurl wrote ...

what a beautiful woman that smile is contagious. she had to have had a giving heart as she was a nurse. god comfort her family.. why this lane bryant store kinda of a weird place to rob and shoot, the person needs to be hunted down and taken care of.wish someone could have helped her like she helps at work

Monday, Feb 4 at 4:07 PM In God We Trust wrote ...

This is scary cause the person is still out there and if he did this he will kill again.The person has nothing to loose so please catch who ever did this so I can come back outside

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