As Ilana Badiner took shelter in the student union during the Florida State University shooting on Thursday, she remembers thinking “I kind of knew the drill already.” Seven years ago, Badiner was an eighth grader at the middle school adjacent to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the shooting that killed 17 people in Parkland, Florida. “I’ve been through this before. It was a similar situation,” Badiner, 21, told CNN. Now a senior at FSU, Badiner was attending a bowling class on the ground floor of the student union Thursday when a shooter opened fire near the building, killing two people and injuring six others before he was shot and taken into custody by police. It marked the sixth mass shooting in Florida and the 81st mass shooting in the United States in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The bowling area has big glass doors and windows that face an open area where students can grab food or study. Through the windows, Badiner started to see students sprinting to the bathrooms and hallways and leaving behind their belongings. Though Badiner couldn’t hear any gunshots over the loud music playing in the bowling alley, she instantly thought students were running from someone with a gun. “I didn’t know why everyone else would be running and they were leaving all their belongings behind and definitely knew there was an emergency,” she said. She and a friend immediately let her bowling instructor know that something was wrong. That instructor is Stephanie Horowitz, according to Badiner, who also happened to be a Parkland shooting survivor. Horowitz was a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the 2018 mass shooting on Valentine’s Day. “I had a feeling it was an active shooter situation before I even heard,” Horowitz, a graduate student at FSU, said in an interview with CBS. “We were lucky that some of my students looked out of the glass doors and saw everybody running.” Fred Guttenberg, the father of 14-year-old Jaime Guttenberg who was killed in the Parkland shooting, posted on X: “America is broken. My daughter Jaime was murdered in the Parkland school shooting. Many of her friends who were lucky enough to survive that shooting went on to attend FSU. Incredibly, some of them were just a part of their 2nd school shooting and some were in the student union today.” Josh Gallagher, who said he also survived the 2018 shooting, was in the FSU Law Library during Thursday’s shooting. “After living through the MSD shooting in 2018, I never thought it would hit close to home again,” he posted on social media. Memories of Parkland shooting Horowitz led Badiner and about 30 to 40 others to hide in the back office of the bowling alley, according to Badiner. Some students also took shelter in a backroom where people play billiards. It was at that moment that Badiner started receiving texts from the FSU emergency line while an overhead alarm sounded. Her suspicions of a shooting were right. She started texting her dad every few minutes. She remembers thinking: was the shooter in the building? Was he outside? What floor was he on? She also thought of her time as an eighth grader in Parkland – when her class turned off the lights, locked the door, covered the windows and huddled against a classroom wall for about three hours waiting for answers as they could hear nearby police sirens. “Eventually, they came on the loudspeaker, and we found out that it was at Stoneman Douglas,” she said. “We’re very close to that school. So we don’t know who the shooter was or what his motive was, so we didn’t know if he would come into our building next.” For a while after the deadly shooting, she would have to keep the lights on to fall asleep at night. “I just felt nervous being in the dark,” she said. She remembered being escorted out of her eighth-grade classroom by a SWAT team while her peers tried to get in touch with their parents. She reunited with her dad and brother at a Publix down the street. Though the Parkland shooter targeted the high school – not the middle school where Badiner was – she had a moment on Thursday where she realized even though she survived the shooting seven years ago, she might not be able to survive this one too. As they hid in the bowling alley office, she started to hear rumors about the shooting and victims. She had met some friends on the first day of the bowling class that chatted with throughout the semester. Now, they sat huddled in the corner of the small office together scared for their lives. There was one desk in the room with a computer, where she could see a warning message informing people to shelter in place. It felt like a long time of hiding and refreshing social media before police arrived. After checking her texts with her dad, she realized it was actually only 15 minutes. As police escorted her out of the student union, she saw an injured person on the ground surrounded by police and medics. “I remember just walking out the doors and I immediately saw her and my heart started beating a little faster. I was like, wow, people are actually injured severely.” As other students flowed out of the student union and nearby buildings, Badiner began to panic because she didn’t know if the shooter had been caught yet. Eventually, Badiner was able to safely make it home to her off-campus house. She hasn’t cried yet and thinks that might be because she’s still in shock. She thinks the tears will come when she learns more about the victims. She attended a vigil for the victims Friday evening, though she was a little nervous about being in an open space with so many people. Badiner, who graduates from FSU in May, said she’s frustrated she’s going through some of these feelings a second time. “I definitely think there are some things that could be changed. I’m not well-informed enough about the specific (gun) laws that are put into place, but I have a feeling that someone can be doing something to keep us safer,” she said. Similar to seven years ago, Badiner decided to sleep with a candle warmer Thursday night, almost like a night light, so she wouldn’t be sleeping in complete darkness.
These Parkland students experienced their second deadly school shooting in 7 years
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"FSU Student Reflects on Second School Shooting Experience Seven Years After Parkland Tragedy"
CNN
5.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Ilana Badiner, a senior at Florida State University (FSU), found herself in a terrifying situation on Thursday when a shooting occurred near the student union, reminding her of the traumatic experience she endured seven years ago during the Parkland shooting. As she sheltered in the bowling area of the union, Badiner recalled her previous experience as an eighth grader at a middle school adjacent to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people were killed. Upon seeing students running away from the scene, she recognized the signs of an active shooter situation, even before hearing gunfire. Badiner, along with her bowling instructor Stephanie Horowitz, who was also a survivor of the Parkland shooting, led a group of students to hide in a back office. As they awaited police intervention, Badiner received emergency alerts and anxiously texted her father, recalling the fear and uncertainty she had felt years prior. The incident resulted in two fatalities and six injuries, marking another grim chapter in the ongoing issue of gun violence in schools across the United States.
The aftermath of the shooting left Badiner and her peers grappling with their emotions and memories. After the situation was resolved and she was escorted out of the building, she witnessed the aftermath of the violence, including an injured individual being attended to by emergency responders. Badiner expressed her frustration over experiencing such trauma for a second time and reflected on the need for changes in gun laws to enhance safety in educational environments. Despite her shock, she attended a vigil for the victims the following evening, feeling a mix of nervousness and solidarity with the community. As she navigated her feelings, Badiner decided to sleep with a candle warmer that night, reminiscent of her coping mechanisms from the past. Her experience underscores the ongoing challenges faced by survivors of mass shootings and the urgent need for effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the traumatic experience of students who have faced multiple school shootings, specifically focusing on Ilana Badiner, a survivor of the Parkland shooting, who now finds herself in a similar situation at Florida State University. This narrative evokes strong emotions and raises concerns about gun violence in schools.
Purpose Behind Publication
The goal of this article seems to be to shed light on the ongoing issue of gun violence in educational institutions. By connecting the experiences of survivors from different incidents, it emphasizes the repetitive nature of this tragedy and the psychological toll it takes on individuals. This framing could be intended to mobilize public opinion and advocate for stricter gun control measures.
Public Sentiment Creation
The article aims to create a sense of urgency and alarm within the community regarding school safety and gun violence. By recounting personal stories of fear and survival, it seeks to resonate emotionally with the audience, potentially leading to heightened advocacy for change.
Information Omission or Concealment
While the article addresses a significant issue, it may not provide a comprehensive view of broader discussions surrounding gun control legislation or mental health support systems that could prevent such tragedies. This selective focus might lead readers to overlook other critical aspects of the gun violence epidemic.
Manipulative Elements Assessment
The article has a moderate level of manipulative elements. By highlighting the emotional experiences of survivors, it can evoke sympathy and provoke a call to action. Although the narrative is grounded in real events, the emotional appeal may overshadow a more balanced discussion on the complexities of gun violence.
Credibility of Information
The information presented appears credible, as it references real individuals and documented events. However, the emotional framing might skew the audience's perception, making it essential to cross-check facts with other sources for a full understanding.
Societal Perception
This article seeks to influence public perception regarding gun violence, likely appealing to those who are already advocating for change. It may resonate more with communities that have experienced similar tragedies or those who prioritize student safety.
Connections to Other News
When compared to other news articles covering gun violence, this piece shares a common theme of survivor narratives, which is a prevalent approach in media to garner attention to the issue. This pattern emphasizes the human impact of gun violence, creating a network of personal stories across various incidents.
Potential Societal Impact
The ongoing discussion of school shootings could influence political debates on gun control legislation. If public sentiment sways towards stricter regulations, it may lead to legislative changes and affect the political landscape.
Market and Economic Implications
While the article itself may not directly impact stock markets, companies associated with educational safety products or gun control advocacy groups could see increased attention and investment as public discourse shifts.
Global Context
In the larger context of global gun violence discussions, this article contributes to the narrative of urgent reform. As the topic gains traction, it may influence international perspectives on gun control and safety in educational environments.
AI Involvement Speculation
It is possible that AI tools were utilized in crafting this article, particularly in organizing the narrative and ensuring clarity. However, the emotional depth and personal stories suggest a human touch, indicating a blend of AI assistance and editorial input.
The analysis reveals a complex interplay of emotional appeal and factual reporting, highlighting the significance of school shootings in contemporary society while raising questions about the broader implications of gun violence.