Teenage Adventist Survivor of Parkland Shooting Critiques Push to Arm Teachers
22 July 2018 | In an interview with Jamaica’s The Gleaner, Samantha Grady, a 17-year-old survivor of the February shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, critiqued the view held by some that teachers should be armed as a protective measure against school shootings.
“They were actually thinking about that at my school, which I wouldn’t feel comfortable [with]. If my English teacher had a gun, I would be staring at the gun the whole time. I would be terrified because accidents [do happen],” said Grady, a devout Adventist, to The Gleaner.
“It wouldn’t be conducive to a safe environment for me to learn, even if they were trained; it’s still not a comfortable situation to be in,” said Grady.
The student was injured by a bullet that grazed her back and a projectile that ricocheted and hit her in the chest during the attack.
“When I crouched, it was really strange, but I believe that it was a message from God, saying I’m not going to die, and it was a very distinct fact which calmed me down, and helped me to handle what was happening around me,” said Grady describing the traumatic incident.
“I required fourteen staples on my back and one staple on my chest. The bullet grazed my back, it was kind of deep and the other one ricochet into my chest. I still have fragments in my chest but they are tiny.”
Grady’s best friend who had been hiding close to her was killed. Grady suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the tragedy and is startled by loud noises.
Seventeen people were killed and 14 injured during the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The alleged shooter, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, is in custody.
To comment, click here