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Daughter of man killed in Barcelona vows terrorists 91Ƶfailed91Ƶ

Fiona Wilson grateful for 91Ƶextraordinary kindness91Ƶ shown in wake of last week91Ƶs attack in Spain
8248186_web1_barcelona-victim-vigil
Candles and flowers mark a vigil at the site in Barcelona where Rock91Ƶs Ian Wilson (shown in inset with his wife Valerie) and 12 others were killed last week.

The daughter of the White Rock man who was 91Ƶ when a van was intentionally driven through a crowd of pedestrians 91Ƶ says perpetrators behind the violent act that claimed 13 lives have not won.

91ƵThe terrorists who killed my father were trying to send a message of hate and destruction,91Ƶ Fiona Wilson told Peace Arch News by email Thursday.

91ƵDespite our devastating loss, our family wants people to know that they completely failed.91Ƶ

Wilson, a staff sergeant with the Vancouver Police Department, wrote to PAN from Barcelona, where she and her husband have been since last Friday 91Ƶ the day after the attack took place on Las Ramblas, a popular Barcelona thoroughfare.

Wilson, who also lives in White Rock, said her parents, Ian and Valerie Wilson, had been staying in Barcelona with her son Duncan and ex-husband Robert Bates, while Duncan attended a soccer camp.

On the 91Ƶ which also injured more than 100 other pedestrians 91Ƶ Duncan and his dad had gone to the beach, while the senior Wilsons went walking, she said.The four were to meet back up at their apartment later in the day.

91ƵThe attack happened and luckily Rob and Duncan were not injured, although they were on Las Ramblas at the time,91Ƶ Wilson said.

She said it took several hours to locate her mother in hospital; she had suffered several fractures, including broken ribs, in the attack.

She learned of her father91Ƶs death the following morning.

News of the tragedy91Ƶs impact on this community spread quickly, and efforts to help the Wilson family have so far raised more than $17,500, through donations to a that launched Sunday.

The funds are 91Ƶto allow (Valerie Wilson) and her family to recover in peace,91Ƶ according to page organizer, Lisa Byrne.

In addition to condolences, donors have encouraged the family to stay strong.

91ƵMy heart breaks for you and your family,91Ƶ writes Diane Murray. 91ƵWe cannot let these people win!91Ƶ

Writes Mardel Greenough: 91ƵHow devastating this senseless act of violence must be to you and your family and to the other families affected but just know that you are not alone, your immediate community and the broader community walk with you.91Ƶ

In a statement issued last Friday through VPD, Fiona Wilson said her family is focusing on the kindness that has been bestowed on them, both immediately following the attack and in the days since. It91Ƶs what her dad 91Ƶ who she described as 91Ƶcompassionate, generous, adventurous91Ƶ 91Ƶ would want, she said.

She reiterated the determination to PAN Thursday.

91ƵAs a family, we would like to focus on the extraordinary kindness that everyone has shown us during this time,91Ƶ she said.

91ƵI have so many stories of unbelievable acts of kindness that I can91Ƶt even begin to tell you them all 91Ƶ we even received a phone call from Prime Minister Trudeau and a letter from the King of Spain.91Ƶ

Hundreds of candles, flowers and notes mark the site of her dad91Ƶs death.

In White Rock, city officials announced on Twitter Wednesday morning that its flag would be lowered to half-mast until Aug. 28 in memory of the terror-attack victims.

8248186_web1_barcelona-vigil-inset-secondary
Candles and flowers mark a vigil at the site in Barcelona where Rock91Ƶs Ian Wilson (shown in inset with his wife Valerie) and 12 others were killed last week.


Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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