A Year After High School Shooting, Florida Town Continues to Struggle – Reuters

By Zachary Fagenson

PARKLAND, Fla. – The town of Parkland is still adorned with signs proclaiming “Parkland Strong” and “MSD Strong,” reminders of the tragic events that unfolded on Valentine’s Day in 2018, when a gunman perpetrated the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, claiming the lives of 17 individuals.

As the anniversary of this heartbreaking day approaches, students, teachers, parents, and community leaders continue to grapple with the lingering trauma.

“There’s a lot of community angst, an overwhelming sadness and frustration because not much has changed in a year,” remarked Angela Burrafato, whose son graduated from the school last year.

The community remains divided over accountability and strategies to prevent future tragedies. Former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, faced with criticism regarding his department’s response to the shooting, was suspended last month by newly elected Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and is now pursuing legal action to regain his position. Additionally, there are calls from some residents for the removal of Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie.

In response to the tragedy, the state’s Republican-led legislature enacted gun control measures, including raising the minimum age for gun purchases and instituting a three-day waiting period. However, critics argue that these measures fall short, while a Republican lawmaker from Florida’s Panhandle has proposed a bill aimed at rolling back some of the enacted restrictions.

Despite the lingering sadness, the community plans a series of events to honor the memory of the 14 students and three adults who lost their lives. On February 14, therapy dogs will be present at the high school, and the school day will be shortened. Students who choose not to attend classes will be excused, while those who do come are encouraged to participate in community service projects.

An interfaith vigil is planned in the same park where thousands gathered the day after the shooting, and a California-based artist is constructing a 35-foot wooden structure dubbed the “Temple of Time,” which will serve as a memorial for the victims. This structure will be decorated with tributes and will be dismantled a few weeks later, mirroring the spirit of the annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert.

Extra activities include free yoga classes, beach cleanups, and a five-kilometer run dedicated to the memory of slain football coach Aaron Feis, scheduled for February 16.

Parkland Mayor Christine Hunschofsky acknowledged that the anniversary serves as a painful reminder of the city’s losses, but she believes that the community’s volunteer efforts help ensure that the tragedy does not entirely define Parkland.

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