A Year On, Community Continues To Honor Victims Of Buffalo Clinic Shooting

BUFFALO, Minn. (WCCO) -- On Wednesday, the Buffalo community will remember the victims of a deadly clinic shooting that happened exactly one year ago.

Throughout Buffalo, people will find a number of events to honor Lindsay Overbay, the woman who was killed, and the four others that were hurt. It happened when a gunman opened fire inside an Allina Health clinic.

Since then, the community has come together in so many ways, and the clinic where it all happened has been renovated.

"Buffalo Strong" was the slogan born out of this tragedy as the community came together a year ago to support Overbay's familt and the four other victims in this shooting.

On Wednesday morning, Buffalo Mayor Teri Lachermeier explained what Buffalo Strong means to her.

"When trauma hits, it's a ripple effect. People don't even realize they're affected by it until they're wondering, 'Why am I sad?'" she said. "And then they reflect back that something happened in my small town that they never thought would happen. So Buffalo Strong, I think what it's done for our community is it reminded us that when we work together, we stay resilient, we're stronger. But if we don't keep connecting to one another and we don't check on our neighbor or make that phone call or go out in the public and see smiles and do the eye contact, we don't have that connected."

Gregory Ulrich, 68, has admitted that just before 11 a.m. on Feb. 9, 2021, he walked into the Allina Buffalo Crossroads clinic and fired his gun in the main lobby, even making his way past the front desk into the patient area.

Five people were shot -- all staff of the clinic -- and Overbay died. She was a medical assistant, wife and mother of two young children.

Ulrich also set off several pipe bombs in the clinic before surrendering to police.

Ulrich was well-known to the clinic, and had expressed his anger with the clinic in the past over his medical treatment. Court records shows that he had mental health and substance abuse problems.

Ulrich is charged with murder, attempted murder and several other charges. His trial is scheduled to start in May.

Buffalo Strong will continue to be the theme for the day. The community is showing their support in many ways by wearing purple and holding a moment of silence at 11 a.m. The clinic will be lit up in purple, the city's color, starting at 4 p.m.

Allina Health President and CEO Lisa Shannon released the following statement on Wednesday:

"It is hard to believe that Feb. 9 marks one year since the violent event at Allina Health Clinic – Buffalo Crossroads. This senseless tragedy took Lindsay Overbay from her family, resulted in the injury of four of our team members and deeply affected our Buffalo Crossroads team. Over the past year, all those impacted have experienced deep grief and trauma. There has also been an outpouring of love and support, time and space for reflection, and for many, renewed resilience and strength.

"Buffalo Crossroads clinic is our family. The Buffalo community is our family. Allina Health is our family. We have reopened the doors at Allina Health Clinic – Buffalo Crossroads to continue caring for the community that has cared for us. We are grateful for the support we have received from the Buffalo community, our health care partners and communities across the state. On behalf of the Allina Health family, our sincere gratitude for standing with us and for each heartfelt social media post, prayer and gesture of support."

Buffalo is about 45 minutes northwest of the Twin Cities.