Active Shooter Threat On Campus

By: Julia Magdei

It was Thursday, the 18th of May. It was at the end of lunch time. I checked the time, 5 minutes left until everyone had to leave for the last block of the day. After nearly finishing my meal, I was still sitting down discussing something with my friends. When suddenly, the loudspeakers went on, telling everyone that there was an active shooter on campus. I saw groups of students quickly running everywhere, scrambled and scared. I began to panic. While regular students would run to safety, I had paralysis on the right side of my body. My aide quickly blurted to me, “OH MY GOD! Head to the nurse’s room! Hurry, hurry! Marissa, come with us! Come on!”

I couldn’t think straight. I tried to scramble to the nurse’s room, but my body instantly went stiff. I could imagine myself similar to an action figure doll, my limbs not functioning properly. I was looking at my body, wondering to myself, “Why, NOW, out of ALL times?”. Regardless, I had to make it into a safe environment, safe from danger, safe from harm. My mind thought of a lot of things that frightened me. What if when we made it to the nurse's room, a shooter would be right there? I knew that if a shooter wanted to get into a room, even with it being locked, they would still try to do so. I attempted to block those thoughts from my mind.

Even though I was frantic, I could not run; no matter how much I tried to. My good friend, Marissa, was right by my side the entire time, assuring me that we were going to be okay. No one rushed to help carry me if needed or just even help my paralyzed body move into safety efficiently. Finally, from what felt like forever for me to reach the door occurred. We made it safely inside. I sobbed immediately. Without hesitation, I implored my aide to call my mom. I was still terrified that the doors were open, so I had to make sure that the doors were locked shut.

I had to calm myself down. I still have this life-threatening brain malformation which puts my life in danger when I am stressed out and anxious. And, all throughout the day, I had an elevated blood pressure, which maximizes the risk of me having another stroke. I had to grab about 10 tissues to clear my runny nose. I remembered that I had to call my mom, so promptly, that’s what I did. First phone call, with no answer. I wanted to try again. I was starting to tear up again. After several rings, my mom answered. I softly whispered to her my situation, but all I could hear was her hysterical voice at me. Later on, I would learn that my mom assumed the worst as she considered that I had sent her the blood pressure cuff responses earlier in the day. I couldn't talk loud as I was not sure if a shooter could potentially hear me.

I stayed on the call, as I waited for my mom to calm down, and we discussed what was happening. After a little while, my mom said that she was outside, and I started to panic once again. I had to make sure that my mom would not get out of her car, for I was anxious that something bad would happen to her.

I hugged my friend so hard, as well as my aide. My aide asked me if I wanted to pray with her, and me and my friend did just that. We prayed for safety. We all stayed in silence for quite some time. The whole event lasted about fifty minutes.

Suddenly, the loudspeaker went on, saying, “Attention. There is no threat, and there never was a threat. The system was accidentally triggered. In a few moments, we will begin releasing students and staff to our third block class. If your parents wish to pick you up, they may do so. All admins and available office staff will be out and about helping students and staff return to their classes. Once again, I want to repeat that the campus is safe.”

A sigh of relief came out from my chest. We were allowed to exit the campus finally. My aide and I went towards the exit sign in clear sight of my mom. She hugged both of us, and we cried of relief and comfort knowing that all was well at that moment in time. I found it quite peculiar how although we were having these deep expressed emotions, other students were laughing and acting completely normal after what just happened.

What I have learned from this experience is that there are few opportunities for people like me to get to safety efficiently and in time. Because I cannot run as other students can, the people inside might lock me out with nowhere to hide. This case was different. However, if there was an active shooter on campus and close by me, I wouldn’t even be able to throw myself on the ground or kneel down efficiently because of my paralysis. I want to feel safe once I enter the school grounds; not terrified. There has to be a change in the school system, especially at our school where it's not equipped for situations such as these. I implore all of you; what ways can we change our school for the better, so that these types of situations are more safe in the long run?