Relatives of Lionel Desmond are set to hold a rally next month in support of Canadian veterans who have yet to receive support or resources that they need.
Desmond, a 33-year-old Afghanistan war veteran, fatally shot his 52-year-old mother Brenda, his 31-year-old wife Shanna and their 10-year-old daughter Aalyiah in January, before turning the gun on himself.
READ MORE: Family of Lionel Desmond now believes Nova Scotia Health Authority ‘did the best that they could’
Desmond’s family has said he was suffering from PTSD before the triple murder-suicide.
Cassandra Desmond, the sister of Lionel Desmond and an organizer of the event, wrote in the Facebook page of the event that they are hoping to educate not retaliate.
“For years we have been trying to prevent tragedies such as my family now suffers, but have yet to get the proper action and resources in place to get it right and continue to keep it right,” wrote Cassandra Desmond.
WATCH: Lionel Desmond murder-suicide a ‘horrific tragedy’ priest says during funeral
“When Veterans Affairs Canada fails a veteran they fail a family, a community and the province. Everyone pays a financial and emotional price.” said David MacLeod, a disabled war veteran.
“The government of Canada has studied veteran suicide since the 1990s and the government has done very little to address the situation.”
The rally is set for September 16 at the Community Centre in St. Andrews, N.S.
The event is scheduled for 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
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