Zavia Pittman

Opinions Writer

Trigger Warning: School Shootings

Let’s cut to the chase. School shootings are an all too common phenomenon in the U.S. today. A couple of weeks ago, a shooting occurred on UNC Chapel Hill’s campus. Midway through Monday, Aug. 28, the beginning of the second week of class, students were alerted to an active shooter on campus and told to find shelter. I can’t imagine the fear students must have felt, not knowing how much danger they could be in. UNCG students likely heard the news a couple of hours after the first alert, but you may have heard it sooner if you had family or friends on campus.

I received a text from my girlfriend that read simply, “I love you.” Think nothing was unusual about it, I texted her back, “I love you more.” About 30 minutes later, she called. Her voice was somewhat frantic, and she immediately told me she was okay. She went on to explain that there had been a lockdown at Chapel Hill due to an active shooter potentially stalking the campus and that gunshots were fired. Thankfully, she could leave campus with the aid of other students and make her way back home.

I was speechless. I had just left Chapel Hill earlier that morning after visiting her, and knowing that something like that had happened so quickly was petrifying. So many emotions ran through my mind. I was grateful that she left but also worried that she could have run into the shooter and been hurt. I was also worried about another friend still on campus; fortunately, she was okay, too.

After students hid in fear for hours, the lockdown was finally lifted, and the local police stated they had a suspect in custody. 

After the phone call, I was hesitant to leave my room. The danger was nowhere near me, but I felt like walking out my door would put me in danger. I was able to leave after a while, and I started walking to class, the entire time checking my surroundings and preparing myself for some unknown danger.

Despite so many instances of violence at schools and college campuses, I’m sure many people never think they will ever experience it directly. No matter how many news reports you see or drills you may be in, nothing can ever prepare you for the emotions you’ll have during and after an event like this.

I pray for the people there that day and hope they can continue the semester with a little peace, but I know that would be a tall order. I send my condolences to the family of the victim who lost his life that day. I hope that the person who did this faces consequences for their actions.

Usually, I try to have some kind of takeaway with articles I write, but I honestly can’t find any words for anyone at the moment. I just wanted to express how I felt that day; maybe some people can relate. Hopefully, we will see changes to decrease incidents like this and, ideally, stop them altogether. Right now, though, I am sure most people are just trying to find ways to feel safe again.

Update: Since I wrote this article, UNC Chapel Hill had another incident with an “armed and dangerous person on campus.” Thankfully, that situation cleared up relatively quickly, and it appears no one was hurt.