A Year After School Shooting, Town Struggles

 

“Parkland Strong” and “MSD Strong” signs can still be found all over the Florida town where 17 people were killed in a school shooting last year.

The attack on February 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, is the deadliest in a U.S high school.

The gunman killed 14 students and three adults. Seventeen other people were wounded.

Now, a year later, students, teachers, parents and community leaders continue to struggle with the horror it caused.

Angela Burrafato’s son graduated from Stoneman last year. She said a lot of angst and sadness remain because not much has changed in a year. People are divided about what to blame and how to prevent another violent attack.

The top police official in Broward County, Scott Israel, was recently suspended from his job. The new governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, said he ordered the suspension last month because of poor police operation during the attack. Israel is taking legal action to regain¹ his job.

Some community members also are demanding the removal of Robert Runcie as leader of Broward County public schools.

Florida’s state government passed gun control laws shortly after the shooting. These included a rise in the age limit for legal purchase of guns and the establishment of a three-day waiting period.

Some argue the restrictions² are not strong enough. Others think they are too restrictive. Last month, a state legislator proposed a measure that would cancel some of the laws.

Parkland is holding a series of events to mark the anniversary of the tragedy.

Therapy dogs will be at MSD high school on February 14, and the school day will end early. Students who decide not to attend classes that day will be excused. Those who come to school have been asked to volunteer for community service projects.

A vigil is planned to take place in the same park where thousands gathered the day after the shooting. Nearby, California-based artist David Best is building a wooden temple in honor of the victims. Visitors will be able to leave written remembrances of the victims at the site.

Free yoga training and beach cleanups are also being organized. A five-kilometer run honoring Stoneman sports director Chris Hixon is planned for February 16. He was shot and killed while running toward the gunfire to try to help the children.

Parkland Mayor Christine Hunschofsky said the anniversary is a painful reminder³ that all of the city suffered. But the volunteerism helps prevent the shooting from defining it, she said.

“We still have people helping⁴ each other, and that’s who Parkland was before this, and who it is today,” she said.

I’m Alice Bryant.

Words in This Story

graduate – v. to earn a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university

angst – n. a strong feeling of being worried or nervous

therapy – n. the treatment of physical or mental illnesses

vigil – n. an event or a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits or prays, especially at night

yoga – n. a system of exercises for mental and physical health

1 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。