Florida State University Student Recounts Campus Shooting Experience

Immediate Reaction to the Shooting

• 🏃‍♂️ Ben Veytstsman was leaving an appointment when he heard a student yell about a school shooter, prompting immediate panic and a rush to find shelter.
• 💡 His initial instinct was to seek the highest floor via elevator, but he ultimately took cover in a staff lounge with faculty members.
• ⚠️ The group remained in the lounge for about an hour, receiving fragmented information about the unfolding campus emergency.

Observations During Lockdown

• 🚨 Alarms and sirens signaled the severity of the situation as they observed Landis Green from the staff lounge window.
• 🚓 They witnessed a girl being carried by police and other students being escorted with their hands on their heads.
• 😟 One faculty member expressed intense fear, highlighting the emotional toll the shooting incident took on those sheltering.

Aftermath and Personal Impact

• 🚶‍♂️ Ben was eventually escorted to another building and was able to walk home safely, but acknowledged that other students remained in classrooms or were hospitalized.
• 📱 He noted the surreal experience of being interviewed, having been contacted via social media, while others with direct eyewitness accounts were not being heard.
• 💔 The reality of the situation truly hit him upon returning home and seeing graphic videos shared in group chats, depicting scenes near a place he visits daily.

Reflections on Safety and Preparedness

• 🏫 Ben questioned the effectiveness of active shooter drills, recalling only lockdown drills from high school and noting the lack of specific preparation for college campus scenarios.
• 🗣️ He expressed concern for students and families affected by the tragedy, emphasizing the financial and emotional investment in higher education.
• 🙏 He hoped for the safety of all and offered condolences to those who lost loved ones, reflecting on how fortunate he felt to be safe.