So today in gym class, a Fremd graduate who attends NIU now came in to visit and was talking to us about what happened. He was actually in the classroom that the shooter came into, sitting front row when he busted through the door. When he was telling us about what went down, I was getting goosebumps. He told us that the guy just walked right in, didn't say a word, and started shooting his shotgun. He shot two rounds off before he had to change guns, and at that point, everyone was crawling for the door. Peter told us that he didn't get out of the room until right before the shooter shot himself. Normally people always say, "ahh so much more could have been done!" but Peter told us that even the police that showed up 5 minutes after they were called said that nothing more could have been done and that they handled the situation perfectly. They practiced and planned out how to deal with such a situation after Virginia Tech, and they said that everything went accordingly. I'm impressed with how they dealt with the situation, but it seriously depresses me that in the course of my life SO many school shootings have occurred. I feel sad that these people who have to resort to shooting up a school have even gotten to that point, and it pains me to realize how much angst and pain these people are feeling, and the fact that they feel they have no where to turn or no one to talk to is just so sad. It makes me really think twice about how I act towards people and the things I say to people, even complete strangers. It sort of brings an awareness of how much of an influence my words and actions have on other peoples, and heightens my sixth sense of noticing when other people are distraught or struggling.
*My thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy*
