Community reaction to University of Alberta shooting

A deadly robbery left three guards dead and another wounded early Friday morning at the University of Alberta. (CBC)

An armoured-car robbery that left three security guards dead at the University of Alberta has provoked a strong reaction among the CBC News readers across the country.

While Edmonton police scour the university's HUB Mall and hunt for one or more suspects, and one survivor clings to live, Canadians are trying to make sense of the attack.

• "What breaks in people that they can bring themselves to kill innocent human beings? There are many things worth living for, a few things worth dying for, and nothing worth killing for. My sincere condolences and sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased." - Allworld
• "Truly a tragic waste of life. Great disparity begets even greater despair." - WinterE
• "Sometimes you wake up and read these headlines and feel like going back to bed and pulling the covers over your head and hiding from the craziness in this world. My heart aches for the families." - Ilikefish
• "They got up and went to work for just another day, just like you and me. Things like this are so heartbreaking. To think that someone killed these people and denied their families of them forever, over money. I can't even imagine the kind of person it takes to do that." - BradNB
  
  

Many who felt a personal connection to the event expressed their shock and sadness.

• "As a student at the UofA I am praying for the families of the guards that died in the line of duty and for the surviving guard that is in the hospital. And for my fellow students. We will heal from this and we will become stronger community." - NWT_NORTHERNER
• "I work for Paladin Security. My heart goes out to the families of those killed and my prayers are with [the surviving victim] for a speedy and full recovery." - DanHarcus23
• "I remember an armoured-car guard getting shot at the Agincourt Mall in Scarborough, back in the mid 70s. I was in the mall at the time with my mother and brother . . . my condolences to the families of the victims. I hope justice is swift and severe." - Cleveland Brown
• "My heart is breaking for family and friends of the deceased. Such a tragic story. My daughter just quit the armoured car gig a couple months ago - I was glad, an image like this UofA occurrence flashed through my head all the time." - MJR2012
• "I lived in HUB Mall for three years, and remember regularly the security truck coming to restock the bank machines at night. I walked by this location 10 p.m. last night ... Those who did this will never receive the punishment that they deserve, or the damage they have done to the family of the victims, this location and community forever." - sweptaway123

Canadians outside Edmonton sent their condolences to those affected, as the story reached beyond Alberta's borders.

• "Our hearts are with you guys in Alberta. This is sad news." - thetreble84
• "Just horrific news... Please, no politics today. Just thoughts and prayers for those who lost loved ones in Alberta last night. You'll be on my mind today." - Jbnova
• "My condolences to the families of the men that were killed. Sympathies for the UofA students and especially to the fellow workers of the victims at G4S Security. Prayers for the guard in critical condition." - casskar
• "My deepest sympathies to the families of those killed and injured. This should never happen and especially not in Canada ... Horrific day for my country." - SAHMWriter
  

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