Before they even knew a mass shooter was on campus, Dakota Bages and her classmates heard screams of terror and started barricading themselves. It was shortly before noon Thursday at Florida State University. The students were in the library just steps away from the student union – which soon devolved into a scene of carnage when a gunman opened fire, killing two people and wounding several others. “We just kind of heard ruckus,” Bages said. “We heard these kind of screams from what sounded like a man … and then we heard a woman scream – kind of like she had been toppled over.” Instinctively, the students ran and jumped into action – even though they still weren’t sure what was happening, Bages said. “Some are crying. Some are trying to keep their cool. Others are screaming: ‘Get in, get in! Push the table! Cover the door!’ They ended up lifting up these huge desks – that are meant to be computer desks – lifting them up and putting them against this glass wall,” Bages said. “Just hearing that screaming from behind you, and in front of you, to your left, to your right – you don’t know how to compose yourself. You don’t know where to hide. There’s nowhere really to run.” The same library was the site of a shooting in 2014. Three people were injured, including a student who was left paralyzed. The gunman was shot and killed by campus police. When the chaos erupted Thursday, one of the students holed up in the library texted their friend Jayden D’Onofrio with a chilling message. An active shooter was on campus, and D’Onofrio’s friend was hiding in the library. “That is one of the most gutting feelings possible – to not know if your friends are OK … and if they’re going to make it through that moment,” he told CNN. D’Onofrio is painfully aware how gun violence can devastate a community. In 2018, he was a 7th grader in southern Florida when a gunman opened fire at nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The assailant killed 17 people and wounded 17 others in a massacre that prompted new laws. Seven years later, D’Onofrio is reliving the horror. “This isn’t normal. It keeps happening again and again,” he said. “It’s depressing, and there’s no real action being taken to change it.” Witness says the gunman seemed to shoot victims randomly McKenzie Heeter was leaving the student union when she saw an orange Hummer parked nearby on a service road. She then saw a man next to the car holding “a larger gun,” when he fired in her general direction, where other people were also walking. The gunman then pulled out a handgun, turned toward the student union and shot a woman wearing purple scrubs in the back. “When he turned to the woman and shot her, that’s when I realized there was no target. And that it was anybody he could see,” Heeter said. “And I took off.” She ran all the way back to her apartment, about a mile away. The first 20 seconds of her sprint were pierced by the sound of continuous gunfire, Heeter said. “It was just shot after shot after shot.” A video taken by a student who hid behind a bush during the attack captured someone’s body lying still in the grass as others scrambled to dodge bullets, the sounds of gunfire and screams filling the air. Active shooter drills from childhood helped students react Thousands of students and staff received emergency alerts about the attack and went into lockdown. Senior Sam Swartz quickly recalled his high school training on how to respond to school shootings. He hunkered down with others in the basement of the student union, hoping to “hide it out.” Together, they shoved trash cans and stacked plywood to create a barricade – a tactic he learned years earlier. “The best thing to do is to try and deter the shooter,” he told CNN’s Omar Jimenez. “Their goal is always just to try and (shoot) as many people as possible. So if you can try and delay that, you’re going to be pretty good.” ‘Oh my gosh, this is real’ Across campus, students crouched beneath desks and texted loved ones in fear. Some piled desks against doors to try to block the shooter. Holden Mamula was in his calculus class when he heard sirens and an active shooter alert sounding on campus. “I saw this police officer with an assault rifle, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is real,’” he said. Mamula texted his parents and sat on his knees, preparing to run, as classmates hid behind desks and turned off the lights. “It’s insane to me how we keep having these incidents, after incidents, after incidents, of just mass shootings,” Mamula said. “I don’t think you feel the emotion until you’ve been through that.” An incoming student on campus isn’t deterred The gunfire erupted just two weeks before the end of the semester. While seniors were getting ready to graduate, dozens of incoming freshmen were eagerly touring campus when they were suddenly forced into lockdown. High school senior Kylie Byun and her parents had just left FSU’s student union about five minutes before the popular site turned into a scene of terror. They took their seats in a nearby auditorium filled with 80 to 100 teens and parents for “an admitted students tour,” Byun said. Moments later, an FSU student “busted into the room and yelled, ‘Everyone! There is word of an active shooter on campus!’ and repeated that a couple of times,” Byun told CNN. “I definitely felt some degree of panic for not only me and my family’s safety, but for all the other students on campus.” For the next two hours, the visitors were “locked in a room with no windows, and no one was allowed in or out,” the 18-year-old said. When officials finally cleared the families to leave, “they were offering medical help,” Byun said. “And they were saying that if you needed to talk to anyone for, like, mental health reasons, they also had people there to tend to that.” The future biology major and aspiring medical school student said the ordeal hasn’t deterred her from attending FSU this fall. In fact, the way FSU managed the situation made her feel more secure. “This is definitely scary, but I think the way the school handled it made me feel pretty safe,” she said. “Because no matter where you go, there’s a possibility of (a) shooting. And that’s the sad truth of the world that we live in.” CNN’s Sara Smart, Nick Valencia, Dalia Faheid, Elise Hammond, Asya McDonald and Hanna Park contributed to this report.
‘There’s nowhere really to run’: Students barricade doors and text loved ones after a gunman seemingly shot victims at random
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Gunman Opens Fire at Florida State University, Leaving Two Dead and Several Injured"
CNN
6.7
TruthLens AI Summary
On Thursday at Florida State University, chaos erupted shortly before noon when a gunman opened fire, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. Students, including Dakota Bages, who were in the library near the student union, reacted instinctively to the sounds of screams and gunfire. As they barricaded themselves inside, Bages described a scene of terror where students were frantically pushing desks against doors while others cried or attempted to remain calm. The library had previously been the site of a shooting incident in 2014, which instilled a sense of dread among students who had experienced or heard of similar tragedies. One student, Jayden D’Onofrio, received a text from a friend trapped in the library, expressing the gut-wrenching fear of not knowing if loved ones were safe. D’Onofrio reflected on his own traumatic experience as a middle schooler during the Parkland shooting, highlighting the repetitive nature of such violent events and the lack of substantial action to prevent them.
Eyewitness accounts revealed the randomness of the gunman’s attack, with McKenzie Heeter describing how he shot at individuals without a specific target. As the horrifying sounds of gunfire echoed, students across campus engaged in lockdown procedures, recalling emergency drills from their past. Many took shelter under desks or barricaded doors, hoping to delay the shooter. Amidst the panic, incoming students touring the campus were also caught in the lockdown, with high school senior Kylie Byun expressing her fear for her safety and that of others. Despite the traumatic experience, Byun stated that the university's response to the situation made her feel more secure about attending FSU in the fall. The incident raises ongoing concerns about the prevalence of gun violence and the emotional toll it takes on students and communities, as they grapple with the reality of living in a world where such events can occur at any time.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent report from Florida State University highlights the terrifying experience of students during an active shooter situation. This incident resonates deeply in contemporary America, where gun violence is a pressing concern. The narrative captures both the immediate emotional reactions of those involved and the broader implications of such events on communities already scarred by similar tragedies.
Purpose of the Report
The coverage aims to shed light on the traumatic experience of students during a mass shooting, emphasizing the chaos and fear that accompanies such incidents. By detailing the students' reactions and the gravity of the situation, the article seeks to engage readers emotionally and provoke discussions about gun violence and campus safety.
Public Perception
This report contributes to a growing concern among the public regarding gun violence, particularly in educational settings. By recounting the harrowing experiences of students, it likely aims to reinforce the urgency of addressing gun control measures and improving safety protocols in schools and universities.
Omissions and Hidden Aspects
While the report focuses heavily on the immediate emotional responses and chaos of the shooting, it may underrepresent the systemic issues surrounding gun violence, such as legislation, mental health resources, and community support systems. This could suggest an intention to maintain focus on the personal narrative rather than delving into broader societal implications.
Analysis of Manipulative Elements
The emotional weight of the students' experiences may lead to a manipulative effect, as it can evoke strong feelings of sympathy and fear. The use of personal anecdotes and vivid descriptions serves to draw in readers, potentially overshadowing critical discussions about policy changes or preventive measures.
Credibility of the Information
The report appears credible, given its detailed eyewitness accounts and references to previous incidents at the same location. However, the emotional framing may skew perceptions, making it essential for readers to consider the broader context of gun violence.
Comparative Context
When compared to other reports on mass shootings, this article shares common themes of fear and trauma while also highlighting the personal stories of those affected. Such narratives are often used to humanize statistics and create a more poignant call to action.
Impact on Society and Economy
This incident, like others before it, could lead to increased demands for gun control and campus safety reforms. Economically, it may impact university funding and insurance costs for educational institutions, while politically, it could energize advocacy groups and influence elections.
Target Audience
The article likely resonates with communities advocating for gun control and those affected by gun violence. It speaks to individuals who prioritize safety in educational environments and those concerned with mental health support.
Market Implications
In terms of stock market effects, companies involved in security technology or mental health services may see fluctuations based on public sentiment following such incidents. This news could prompt increased investments in safety measures for educational institutions.
Global Perspective
While this incident is specific to the U.S., it reflects a broader global conversation about gun control and violence. As countries grapple with their own challenges related to firearms, this narrative contributes to the ongoing discourse on public safety and legislative action.
Role of AI in Reporting
It is possible that AI was utilized in crafting this report, particularly in structuring the narrative and selecting impactful language. AI models could assist in analyzing public sentiment or creating compelling headlines. However, the emotional depth of eyewitness accounts suggests a human element in the reporting process.
Overall, this report serves to highlight the pervasive issue of gun violence in America, aiming to evoke emotional responses while potentially overlooking broader systemic factors. It underscores the urgency of addressing these issues in a comprehensive manner.