The family of the American piper who was one of 12 victims in the recent mass shooting in Virginia, USA, wish to have a private funeral.
Chris Rapp had moved to Virginia Beach recently with his wife, Bessie, and worked for the council for almost a year. He was a piper with Tidewater Pipes & Drums.
Chris learned to play while a member of the Henrico County Emerald Pipes & Drums. He was a member of the local St. Andrew’s Society and one of six pipers that started St. Andrew’s Legion in 2001. He also played piano.
We pass on our condolences to Chris’s family.
Tomorrow at 19:00, Tidewater Pipes & Drums will perform a 15 minute tribute to the victims in the centre of Virginia Beach. A spokesman said band members will each play 11 verses of Amazing Grace For the 12th and final verse, the whole band will play for Chris, before forming a traditional band circle – leaving a'”missing man’ next to the Pipe Major – and perform a few of Chris’s favourite tunes.
DeWayne Craddock, an engineer in the city’s public utilities department, resigned from his job last Friday (May 31) but near the end of the day opened fire on former colleagues. He was later shot dead by police.
