(Image source from: REUTERS)
A student at Florida State University employed chewing gum to adhere paper over classroom windows during a mass shooting that occurred on Thursday. Jeffrey LaFray, one of the students, recounted the incident, mentioning that while gunfire erupted nearby, he and his peers were inside attempting to find refuge and remain secure. In an interview with Good Morning America, he shared that their instructor aimed to cover the windows with paper to prevent the shooter from being able to see into the room; however, they lacked tape for the task. As a result, the students chewed gum and utilized it to attach the paper to the windows. Reflecting on the distressing experience, he said, “The teacher asked if anyone had tape to secure some paper, but nobody did, so several of us took out our gum and started chewing to make it sticky enough to hold the paper in place.”
The mass shooting occurred near the university campus and is believed to have been executed by a local deputy sheriff's stepson. Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old, allegedly utilized a former service weapon belonging to her stepmother to carry out the attack. Another graduate student from FSU shared a traumatic experience from the shooting. Madison Askins, 23, recounted her survival tactic of pretending to be lifeless. She described the moment when she was with a friend near a union building when she was shot in the rear. Speaking to ABC News, she elaborated, “When the bullet struck me from behind, I collapsed, shut my eyes, and played dead. I relaxed all my muscles, closed my eyes, and held my breath, only taking quick breaths when absolutely necessary.”
Ms. Askins expressed her belief that staying still would help her evade the shooter's gaze. She noted, “I was certain that if I moved at all, he would have shot me again,” adding that after hearing the gunman reload and command, “Keep running,” the students dispersed in various directions. The tragic event resulted in two fatalities and five injuries. Mr. Ikner is presently hospitalized following being shot by police during the ordeal.
