IHOP Shooting: Group has a victims fund for those in need

A fund for victims and witnesses of the IHOP shooting on Sept. 6 has $78,000 in it, thanks to donations from IHOP franchisees across the country, Pepsico and individuals.

But there has been little response from those in need, said Kitty McKay, development officer for the Carson Tahoe Foundation, which is administering the IHeal Community Fund as a nonprofit.

"This fund is about healing the community," said McKay.

Just before 9 a.m. Sept. 6, gunman Eduardo Sencion, 32, walked into the IHOP and opened fire, shooting 11 people. Four died from their wounds, and Sencion fatally shot himself.

According to the Carson City Sheriff's Office, 29 customers and nine employees were in the restaurant at the time. A total of 39 people were interviewed in the course of the investigation, which is still ongoing.

McKay said the IHeal Community Fund, established by Carson Medical Group, has had just nine inquiries from people seeking help.

Cheri Glockner, spokeswoman for Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare, noted that even if someone wasn't in the restaurant at the time of the shooting, the post-traumatic effects of the incident that early September morning can linger.

"It's important for people to understand that the subcommittee that's charged with dispersing this fund is very broad and very well represented in the community," she said. "There's no judgment into how you were impacted or what type of help you need."

For information, go to ihealcommunityfund.com or call 445-5165.

"A lot of the people it seems that we may be able to help haven't contacted us," said McKay. "It's hard, sometimes, for people to reach out on their own."