“As we learn more information about the deadly shooting on Dec. 3 at the Cedar Pointe Condominium community in Stuart, Fla., Community Associations Institute expresses our deepest condolences to the victims’ families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
According to Martin County Sheriff William Snyder, residents Henry and Ginger Wallace were shot and killed just outside their building by another resident, following a dispute in the homeowners association. Sheriff Snyder said that Ms. Wallace was the president of the HOA.
The heartbreaking tragedy is devastating to the families and neighbors impacted and to all residents who call a community association home. Community associations serve as places where residents live together and share common areas and amenities. These self-governed communities represent the most local form of democracy in our country—places where more than 2.5 million homeowners willingly volunteer their time to serve on their community’s governing board and committees. These volunteers are elected by their neighbors to be the financial stewards, set policy, build a sense of community, and strive to meet the needs of every homeowner.
We believe that a tragedy like this should never happen in any town, city, or community, and there are no issues or disagreements between parties in a community that are serious enough or significant enough that they can’t be settled peacefully.
We believe that community associations are built to be places of comfort and safety, where neighbors support and help one another and develop a true sense of belonging, particularly during the holidays when communities come together to share celebrations and observances. Those impacted by this tragedy remain in our thoughts and prayers. We stand together as an organization against gun violence and call for peace and civility in communities across the world.”