Three shootings have occurred in the past few months that have stunned the nation.
The first occurred during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises on July 20. A man carrying a rifle, shotgun and two handguns dressed in black calmly entered a theater in Aurora, Colorado. The 24 year old gunman, James Holmes, then threw two gas bombs into the unsuspecting crowd and opened fire. The wake he left behind was devastating. 12 people were dead ranging from the ages of six through 51 and he left over 50 others injured.
“It’s sad to hear about, especially when you hear the stories about the younger victims because they didn’t have enough time to enjoy their life,” said junior Rachel Mathys.
Junior Brin Wilk also shows a deep insight to these shootings when she says. “Its sad these things have to happen. You always go to the movies and see people being shot and killed on screen, and it seems like no big deal. But the second you step out of the theatre, out into the real world, and have these shootings occur, its a painful reminder that this is reality, not some Hollywood movie.”
Just as the people of Aurora began their grieving, the people of Oak Creek, Wisconsin experienced a senseless shooting of their own. On August 5, at a Sikh Temple, six victims were killed and three were injured.
One man, Satwant Singh Kaleka, died tragically trying to save his fellow Sikh temple members by fighting of 40-year-old Wade Michael Page. Soon after, police also arrived on the scene and tried to suppress Page, sadly, before that was achieved 22-year-old police Lieutenant Brian Murphy was killed while trying to aid an injured victim. He was shot nine times at close range by Page, and was sent to Frodetert Hospital were he passed away.
“These shootings are so horrible, but it also made many people known for their heroic acts,” said Junior Riley Coyle.
Sadly, the firing did not stop there. A couple days later, three people were gunned down, and four were injured near the Texas A&M University campus on August 13. Brian Bachmann, who was a Brozos County sheriffs deputy since 1993 was among them. This has been added to the list of many school shootings that have occurred in the past. Bachmann was killed exchanging fire with Thomas Caffall, age 35.
“School shootings are becoming a scary reality. It seems as though they’re occurring more frequently and are becoming increasingly worse. The fact that shootings are happening across America makes me fearful for our own school. No school is technically “safe,” and it could happen anywhere, even Kaneland. That’s what scares me,” said junior Emily Laudont.
As everyone’s condolences are sent out to the families, everyone’s hopes are set for a brighter future for all.
