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Students across the country live in fear of a shooting like the one at Santa Fe High School in Texas. (Photo by Jeffrey Bary via Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licensing))
It’s hard to wrap our minds around, but this morning there was yet another mass shooting at a school: Santa Fe High School in Texas.
Students at Santa Fe participated in the anti-gun violence walkout just four weeks ago today.
https://twitter.com/mukethemusical/status/987322400512659457
This is a speech I wrote for our walkout that was held on April 20, the anniversary of columbine. I didn’t end up speaking, but these words are heavy on my mind right now. pic.twitter.com/fO1LM46Hdr
— ken 🧡 (@kaleidoscopeken) May 18, 2018
The shooter has been identified as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, age 17, a junior at the school.
In the wake of the news breaking that there was an active shooter at Santa Fe, many students took to Twitter to express their feelings, ranging from shock to anger. Here’s a sample of what young people have been saying. (Warning: Some strong language.)
Santa Fe students
For everyone wondering, someone walked into my class today with a shot gun. I heard 2-3 shots and shit started flying at me. I can’t begin to explain the thoughts that we’re going through my head. I watched some girl shot dead right in front of me. Prayers to all the families.
— Zach📍 (@ZachMuehe) May 18, 2018
Never have I ever imagined I would have to run for my life…it’s all just heartbreaking. My prayers are going out to everyone who is going through this and for the family’s that won’t be having someone come home to them tonight.
— shelby leigh (@shelbyleigh31) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/brookeelizabxth/status/997502965303988224
The worst feeling ever is not knowing. Not knowing if your friends are ok. Not knowing if your teachers are ok. So Please keep all of Santa Fe in your thoughts and prayers as the names of the lives lost today start to emerge and continue to pray for the ones injured.
— Cait (@_caitlyn_6) May 18, 2018
someone on the news just said that this is what Santa Fe High Schools legacy will be. i reject that. i want our strength to be our legacy. not this. #SantaFeHighSchool
— joella lace 💛 (@joellalace) May 18, 2018
I’m so greatful and blessed that god spared me life today. Today I was shot in the back of the head but i am completely okay and stable.
— Rome Shubert (@romeshubert_) May 18, 2018
Interviewer: “Was there a part of you that was like, ‘This could not happen at my school?’”
Santa Fe High School student: “No. It’s been happening everywhere. I’ve always felt it would eventually happen here, too.”pic.twitter.com/MPxVScd3QE
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/mukethemusical/status/997472601181171712
https://twitter.com/holcombekaitlyn/status/997474300516093952
I cannot belive this is happening.
— Tyler (@tylxrcruz) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/averipresleyy/status/997491499293175809
https://twitter.com/semisonics/status/997478809279565824
everyone at school. I am with you. I am thinking about you. Please contact me if you need a ride later or anything.
— ken 🧡 (@kaleidoscopeken) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/real_krw/status/997481383848284162
https://twitter.com/CreativityMary/status/997492917135663104
Student tearfully recounts escaping deadly shooting at Texas high school.
“I shouldn’t be going through this. It’s my school. This is my daily life.” https://t.co/ja4ueWucO3 pic.twitter.com/OQMEIcNVu7
— ABC News (@ABC) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/tubbbrandon/status/997507252071403520
The news is making this so much worse, please give my school mates time to adjust and comprehend what is happening, before you shove a camera in their face and force them to answer your unnecessary questions. Stay strong everyone, you can get through this. #SantaFeHighSchool
— Tobiass (@jezuzisthebread) May 18, 2018
Students who feel connected to Santa Fe
https://twitter.com/sangriaboy/status/997499579162558469
There was a school shooting 13 min from my school
— drannie🐻 (@drannieKV) May 18, 2018
School shooting in Texas has the same name as my school in Florida
— loverboy (@sinisterzach) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/mary__xcx/status/997505859134611458
Survivors of the Parkland and Great Mills shootings
To everyone at Santa Fe high school ,I hope youre safe, I’m so sorry this is happening, and I’m so sorry that it continues to https://t.co/zLRbrizYiD one should be in the situation that youre all currently in. Im not going to say thoughts and prayers but instead policy and action
— Sarah Chadwick (@Sarahchadwickk) May 18, 2018
My heart is so heavy for the students of Santa Fe High School. It’s an all too familiar feeling no one should have to experience. I am so sorry this epidemic touched your town – Parkland will stand with you now and forever. pic.twitter.com/ckVPxYi6qz
— Jaclyn Corin (@JaclynCorin) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/jordxncampbell/status/997495088149336064
I should be celebrating my last day of high school, but instead my heart is broken to hear of the tragedy at Santa Fe. We cannot let this continue to be the norm. We cannot.
— Delaney Tarr (@delaneytarr) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/Emma4Change/status/997505205771079680
Today is my last day of school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high and I find out there’s been a shooting in Texas at Santa Fe high school. My heart aches for them. 💔
— Kyra Parrow 🦋 (@longlivekcx) May 18, 2018
There have only been 137 days of 2018. That’s about one school shooting every six days, and that doesn’t even count the countless acts of gun violence in communities everyday. This is an EPIDEMIC. We need a change. https://t.co/x5cCuXtNHX
— Brenna Levitan (@brenbizou) May 18, 2018
santa fe hs students, the entire great mills community is here for you ❤️, please please please reach out if you need to talk, my DMs are open #SantaFe
— jaxon !! (@jaxonomara) May 18, 2018
We shouldn’t have to grow up in a country where there are 3 school shootings in one month. We shouldn’t have to go to school with the knowledge that we might not come home alive at the back of our minds. The Santa Fe kids deserve better. Every kid in this country deserves better.
— mollie davis (@davism0llie) May 18, 2018
Students living in a mass shooting culture
i remember when sandy hook happened. my dad sat me down and we had a long talk about it and what to do if it ever happened at my school. i was in 5th grade then, now i’m a sophomore in high school and all i hear is “another mass shooting today.”
— ryn 🗯 (@urmomryn) May 18, 2018
i’m home because my school had a shooting threat and now this is happening…
— kevin (@618mariah) May 18, 2018
Even if the numbers end up being down. These are not numbers being killed, these are real people. People with families and friends and futures. 1 person killed is enough. Everyone deserves to live.
— Zion Kelly (@zionkelly18) May 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/AshleySchu/status/997485413274136578