Shippensburg youth wrestling coach among Las Vegas victims

The Shippensburg community mourned Tuesday night the loss of Bill Wolfe Jr., a youth wrestling and Little League coach who was tragically killed in Sunday night’s mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas.

Wolfe, 42, and his wife, Robyn, were attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival in celebration of their 20th anniversary, when police say a man opened fire on the crowded concert grounds from an upper floor of nearby apartment, killing 59 and injuring more than 500.

Shippensburg police confirmed Tuesday that Wolfe was among the victims. “It is with the most of broken hearts, the families of Bill Wolfe Jr. and his wife Robyn share that Bill has been confirmed to be among the deceased as a result of the mass attack in Las Vegas,” the department said on its Facebook page.

In addition to his roles as father and youth sports coach, Wolfe made his living as a professional engineer, most recently employed by Dewberry in Carlisle.

Carl Bert, the owner of a Shippensburg engineering firm who had worked with Wolfe, described Wolfe as personable, fun, easy to work with and a devoted Christian.

“On behalf of our family and all Pennsylvanians, our hearts go out to the Wolfe family and the entire Shippensburg community,” Gov. Tom Wolf posted on social media.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., also shared his condolences, tweeting, “Bill Wolfe Jr. was a beloved husband and coach. Losing him is a tragedy. Deepest condolences to this family, friends and the Ship community.”

Various Shippensburg school, church and other groups held prayer groups, vigils and grief counseling sessions Tuesday night. A GoFundMe page was also set up to help the family with unexpected costs associated with Wolfe’s death. As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, the page had raised more than $18,000 of its $25,000 goal.

This story was originally published October 3, 2017 at 9:51 PM with the headline "Shippensburg youth wrestling coach among Las Vegas victims."