Last Friday night, at 10:00pm, I received a text message from my son, who is a student at UC Santa Barbara, and a resident of Isla Vista ("IV"). He said that there was someone out shooting at people in IV but that he was safe, inside his apartment with his roommates. Feeling panicked I immediately called him and was able to get a few more details...a very important girl in my son's life relayed to him that she had just given CPR to one of her friend's, who had just been shot in the local Deli. He believed the authorities caught the killer, and that perhaps a few people may have died. My heart sank, fearing it may have been innocent students who were killed. I didn't realize when I went to sleep that night how terrible the scene actually was...
The person who was shot in the Deli later succumbed to his injuries and passed away. Six innocent victims-their hopes and dreams gone, never to be realized. Their parents---in agonizing, emotional pain, left with a wound of emptiness that will only dull with time, but never fully heal. The 13 injured, and all of the students of Isla Vista-their sense of safety & innocence shattered-left to pick up the pieces, and unite as they mourn the loss of their fellow friends.
For all impacted by this heinous tragedy, the bell can't be unrung. The horrific details are imprinted on everyone's mind. The damage is done. We need to do all we can, whatever it takes, to protect our children and never allow this to happen again. Changes have to be made, whatever they may be.
For anyone who has had the privilege to visit Isla Vista, it is indeed a beautiful college town, full of loving, caring, and wonderful students. I hope for them that their vision of IV, and their college experiences will not be marred forever by the evil doings of one person.
For me, I am so relieved that my son is safe, and selfishly, am grateful that he was not in that Deli Friday night. In a few weeks the students will finish their classes for the school year. May the summer bring them comfort, peace, and happiness.
God Bless them all!
The person who was shot in the Deli later succumbed to his injuries and passed away. Six innocent victims-their hopes and dreams gone, never to be realized. Their parents---in agonizing, emotional pain, left with a wound of emptiness that will only dull with time, but never fully heal. The 13 injured, and all of the students of Isla Vista-their sense of safety & innocence shattered-left to pick up the pieces, and unite as they mourn the loss of their fellow friends.
For all impacted by this heinous tragedy, the bell can't be unrung. The horrific details are imprinted on everyone's mind. The damage is done. We need to do all we can, whatever it takes, to protect our children and never allow this to happen again. Changes have to be made, whatever they may be.
For anyone who has had the privilege to visit Isla Vista, it is indeed a beautiful college town, full of loving, caring, and wonderful students. I hope for them that their vision of IV, and their college experiences will not be marred forever by the evil doings of one person.
For me, I am so relieved that my son is safe, and selfishly, am grateful that he was not in that Deli Friday night. In a few weeks the students will finish their classes for the school year. May the summer bring them comfort, peace, and happiness.
God Bless them all!
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