Remembering the victims 30 years later
DONNA WARREN, 22, NORTH SYDNEY
A shift manager at the Mcdonald's Restaurant in Sydney River, Warren was known for her bubbly, outgoing personality and for her hard work ethic. Friends told the Cape Breton Post they would tease Warren she was going to be a three-time Memorial High School graduate because of the course upgrading she did. Juggling work and studies, Warren was taking night classes in computers as she worked toward becoming a lawyer. Active in Brownies and Girl Guides, Warren also loved to draw. Warren died on May 7, 1992.
NEIL BURROUGHS JR., 29, GLACE BAY
Born in Dominion where he grew up in a large, close-knit family, Burroughs lived with his wife and son in Glace Bay and worked at Mcdonald's restaurants in the maintenance department. A family man known for his love of parties and tearing up more than a few dancefloors, Burroughs never spoke ill of people and never took sides when people talked to him about an argument they were in. Close to his many siblings, Burroughs would often go on road trips with his sister Cathy to visit their sister Francine in Halifax. Burroughs died on May 7, 1992.
JAMES (JIMMY) FAGAN, 27, SYDNEY
An employee of Zellers Ltd. for eight years before being hired at the Mcdonald's Sydney River location, Fagan was survived by two sisters and five brothers. The second youngest of eight, Fagan was known for his kindness and good nature. Some of his vital organs were donated, helping save the lives of people waiting on transplant lists. In a way, his final act of kindness. Fagan died on May 8, 1992.
ARLEEN MACNEIL, 20, GROVES POINT
The only child of Germaine and Howard Macneil, the Memorial High School graduate was a prom queen known and loved by many. Working at Mcdonald's Restaurant in Sydney River while attending the University College of Cape Breton (now Cape Breton University), Macneil loved long walks and country music. Like her co-workers, Macneil was shot in the head that night on May 7, 1992. However, she survived the critical injury but was left physically and mentally disabled with brain damage from the bullet. Macneil died on Aug. 15, 2018.