At only 20 years old, Zoe Weissman finds herself in an unfortunate position of having experienced two separate mass shootings. The first incident she endured was the tragic Valentine’s Day massacre at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018 when she was just 12 years old. This traumatic event led to lasting effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder and a deep involvement in gun violence prevention activism.
During the recent shooting at Brown University on December 13, Weissman, now a sophomore, was quick to recognize the unfolding danger due to her previous experience. As she received news of the incident while in her dorm room, she immediately went into survival mode, a response she attributes to the prevalence of school shootings and lockdown drills in her generation.
The lockdown period at Brown University lasted until the next morning, with Weissman anxiously following updates and staying in contact with her family for support. The tragic incident resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries. The alleged shooter, suspected of killing a Massachusetts professor before taking his own life, was tracked down by police five days later.
Reflecting on the prevalence of gun violence in the United States, Weissman expresses a mix of grief, anger, and frustration. She emphasizes the importance of gun reform to prevent such incidents from impacting more lives personally. Weissman also highlights the need for individuals to realize the significance of prevention measures before they themselves are affected by gun violence.
Another survivor at Brown University, Mia Tretta, who had previously survived a mass shooting at Saugus High School in California, shares a similar sentiment of disbelief at having experienced multiple shootings. Both Tretta and Weissman have found solace in their shared experiences, engaging in discussions about gun violence prevention efforts and their plans for the future.
Weissman’s involvement in activism has been a source of healing and empowerment, enabling her to take action against the pervasive issue of gun violence. She stresses that the aim of gun reform is not to disarm law-abiding citizens but to restrict access to firearms for those who pose a threat. Through their advocacy and resilience, survivors like Weissman and Tretta hope to drive meaningful change in gun violence prevention efforts.