What about the survivors? This question lingers in my mind, refusing to fade. When the gunfire subsides and the chaos settles, what becomes of those who lived through the horror? I’m not merely referring to those in the hospital facing physical injuries, but also to the students who were present that day. The ones who witnessed the panic, heard the shots, and saw the aftermath—the bodies, the blood, the utter devastation.
What happens to them? Are they considered fortunate? In a school with over 3,000 students and faculty, the loss of 17 lives impacts far more than just those immediate families. It reverberates through the entire community. How do these students find their way back to a semblance of normalcy? Their new “normal” is tainted with memories that no child—or adult—should ever have to bear. This trauma will follow them for the rest of their lives.
These young minds, still in the process of developing, are now burdened with the weight of horror. How many can simply move on? Could you? I doubt I could. The effects of PTSD can be as harmful as a bullet. But who will provide the necessary therapy they’ll require—today, tomorrow, for years to come? How many will turn to substances as a coping mechanism, or worse, succumb to feelings of hopelessness?
Seventeen lives lost send ripples across the nation. Fear grips children, anxiety plagues parents, and teachers bear an immense weight, wondering if they’ll be next. My partner, a former military service member turned middle school teacher, faces the classroom with the same concern I had when he was deployed. Shouldn’t teaching be safer than active combat? Yet, I find myself anxious whenever the phone rings during school hours.
What will become of the survivors, knowing the cycle of violence may never end? Even if changes are made, real progress takes time. The mindset of those who prioritize gun ownership over human life is deeply entrenched. The statistics are staggering: approximately 33,000 lives are lost annually to gun violence, with many being suicides. Yet, meaningful change remains elusive, and mass shootings occur frequently—at schools, concerts, and public venues.
We often focus on the deceased, the tragedy, the aftermath. And yes, it is tragic—so much so that it feels unbearable to think about. Yet, the most heartbreaking reality is the certainty that these incidents will repeat. It’s only a matter of time before someone you know feels the impact of such violence.
Let’s not overlook the survivors. We must acknowledge the profound effects a shooting has on a community and consider the long-term consequences for those kids and educators—five, ten, even twenty years down the line. How many will struggle with addiction? How many will feel trapped in their own homes? What about those who can’t access the therapy they desperately need because healthcare is often harder to obtain than a firearm?
Once the dust settles, and the victims are mourned, we must ask: what about the survivors? This question weighs heavily on my heart as I think about my family—and yours. The reality is that I don’t have any solutions or comforting conclusions. I’m just a concerned individual, reflecting on the plight of those left behind after these tragedies continue to unfold.
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In summary, we cannot forget about those who survive these tragedies. They carry the scars of violence long after the headlines fade, and it’s our responsibility to acknowledge their pain and support their healing process.
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