SPRINGFIELD, Tenn (WTVF) — Three days after the deadliest homicide event in Tennessee in at least 20 years, the Westmoreland community is searching for healing. It was on Saturday, April 27 when investigators say Michael Cummins took the lives of seven people, three of which being members of his own family.
“Anytime you see this kind of tragedy and this kind of loss it takes from the family certainly,” said Tia Bailiff.
The Westmoreland community is still mourning the gruesome murders and attack and one lawyer is looking for ways to step up and help the town heal. Bailiff was a pastor and is now an attorney in Springfield, but she has roots in Westmoreland.
“I was acquainted with this family and I knew them and came to know them from my time as a pastor at Mt. Olive,” said Bailiff.
Bailiff says she started thinking how she can help the victims and their families. She took to social media and invited people to her law office where a lawyer, a pastor, a therapy dog, a mother and friends came up with the idea of several benefit fundraisers.
“It's about a meeting of the minds and seeing how many we can get to aid us in this endeavor and to relief the financial burden from this family,” Bailiff said.
The goal is to raise enough money to cover funeral costs and medical expenses for the surviving victim. Bailiff says they need a venue, food donations and sponsors.
“Realistically, what we're looking for is service. If people can unite and if they can serve that's really what we need,” she said.
If you want to help with planning ideas or donate call Bailiff’s law office at 615-985-2008.
