Student speaks out after surviving two mass shootings within seven years following Brown University tragedy
The student was just 12 years old when she survived the first mass shooting
A student who's remarkably survived two mass shootings within seven years has recalled the terrifying experience of being caught up in the recent Brown University shooting.
A gunman opened fire in an engineering building at the Rhode Island campus at around 4pm local time on Saturday (December 13), where students were in attendance for a review session.
Economics professor Rachel Friedberg, whose teaching assistant was leading the session, told local media outlet Ocean State Radio: "He said that the shooter came in the doors, yelled something - he couldn't remember what he yelled - and started shooting. Students started to scramble to try to get away from the shooter, trying to get lower down in the stadium seating, and people got shot."
At least two people have died as a result of the shooting, while nine others are being treated after being injured.
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A person of interest, a man believed to be in his 20s, is in custody.
Zoe Weissman, 20, was one of those caught up in the shooting after she was informed in her dorm that students had been evacuating campus due to an incident in one of the buildings.
Back in 2018, Zoe was a student at Westglades Middle School, situated next to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, when gunman Nikolas Cruz killed 17 and injured a further 18.
Cruz received a life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in 2022.
Speaking to MS Now about being involved in two mass shootings, Zoe said: "I’m really angry. I’m really angry that this is happening to me all over again. And I’m just in shock. I think, mentally, I feel like I’m 12 again. This feels exactly how I felt in 2018."
Zoe also spoke to NBC News following the shooting, stating she felt 'panicked' when she heard there was an active shooter on campus.
"Once I knew a little more and I didn’t feel there was imminent danger, I felt numb — exactly how I did when I was 12," she added.
Following the tragedy, Brown University President Christina Paxson provided an update and said that of those injured, six are in critical but stable condition, one is in stable condition, and one is in critical condition.
President Donald Trump addressed the shooting in a speech from the White House, saying: "So to the nine injured get well fast, and to the families of those two that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects from the United States of America."
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, please find more information and support via Survivors Empowered on their website.
Callum Jones