Written on Valentine's Day 2023.
My daughter, Alie, was studying in MSU's student union when two ear-piercing metallic sounds rang out. Her little study group looked at each other, confused. One of the girls wondered if someone had dropped metal trays, a plausible explanation as they were near the food court.
When more shots rang out, they realized someone was shooting a gun not far away. "Let's go!" a student said.
Once-precious possessions like phones and purses became inconsequential, and as the Union emptied, they were abandoned. For the next 24 hours, those objects were occupants of a crime scene and testaments to what is truly important.
The FBI was fantastic when they let the students back in to claim their stuff, but the scene's gravity left Alie and her group shaken, as the shooter was much closer than they knew. Back outside, they held each other, thankful yet heartbroken.
I have good friends who have guns. While I know them to be incredibly respectful of the deadly force they hold in their hands, I'm painfully aware that not everyone is. We're doing a lot of fighting and finger-pointing in politics today, but no matter what side of the aisle you're on, I ask that you consider how we, as a country, can come together to make it safer.
My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and anyone else affected by this tragedy.
I'm proud to be a Spartan (MSMR class of 2023)!
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