Just this weekend I walked the grounds of Florida State University – the most recent location of a heart-breaking shooting tragedy that rocked the campus, leaving two dead and six injured.
This shooting occurred April 17 outside the student union. The following day, a vigil was held to honor the victims and provide a space for healing. Having a sister who currently works at FSU made the rare event of school shootings even more personal and alarming. I visited her the day after, attending the vigil with her and seeing firsthand how a shooting can negatively affect a community.
When the shooting occurred, she was in lockdown for several hours, anxiously waiting for updates from the police. This recent tragedy made me reflect deeply on the urgent need for schools to implement stronger measures to prevent gun violence and ensure the safety of students and staff.
To prevent gun violence in schools, a multifaceted approach is essential.
Enhancing security measures such as controlled access points and surveillance systems can deter potential threats. The shooting tragedy at Uvalde Elementary School was in part because one of the doors was left unlocked, leaving the shooter easy access to enter the school. If that door had been locked, it could have possibly deterred the shooter from accessing the school. Perhaps enhanced security systems on larger campuses such as colleges, would be beneficial for detecting weapons and instantly alerting the police.
According to CNN, Tallahassee police were at the scene within two minutes and the response was large in scope.
According to ABC News, the Uvalde Police Department waited on scene for seventy-seven minutes before approaching the shooter.
Mental health awareness could also possibly prevent future school violence. Implementing mandatory monthly counselor meetings would provide a mental health checkup with a licensed professional. With these periodic meetings, the counselors would be able to assess the mental health of their students and possibly notice any changes. The students would also be provided a safe and confidential space to address any life issue that is disturbing or bothering them.
A shooting’s impact is far-reaching, affecting all those on campus. My sister Julia Galli provided a quote for this column based on her experience. She said students went from not knowing whether they would pass their final exams to not knowing whether they would be alive to take their exams.
As the semester draws to a close after this tragedy, “A campus that has never known stillness, has now turned deafeningly silent,” Julia said. You can read more about her experience here.
Perhaps with greater vigilance, I hope and pray there will be less vigils to attend, less news stories to watch covering these shocking crimes and more peace of mind for the youth of America.
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