Yesterday, almost 5 years to the date since 17 lives were taken at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and on the eve of a holiday dedicated to expressing love for one another, we endured news that at least 3 people were killed and 5 were injured on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.
This is the 67th mass shooting of 2023, which tragically follows one of the worst and most violent years on record where we experienced 640 mass shootings and 130+ deaths on school campuses in 2022.
In response to the shooting, JP Guilbault, CEO of Navigate360 and ALICE Training®, issued the following statement:
First and foremost, our hearts go out to the victims, families, Michigan State University staff and students and the entire East Lansing community. As a born and raised Michigander, this tragic incident hits close to home. I want to express our gratitude and appreciation for the law enforcement, first responders and healthcare professionals involved.
The frequency of mass shootings is both tragic and unacceptable. We are living in a persistent state of not if, but when will the next mass shooting take place. As a society, we must do more — for ourselves and for our children.
These senseless events continue to erode the confidence of students, parents, teachers and school communities — that they are safe, that they will return home at the end of a school day or semester, that they will be able to thrive. This is not the learning environment or mindset that allows people to reach their full potential.
It’s time to end the normalization of deviance.
Data shows most mass shooters exhibit behavior that elicits concern in close contacts or display signals and early warning signs through leakage of information about the attack. We must all become more informed and educated on how to spot concerning behavior and who to report it to. Furthermore, we must also learn the life-saving response options should we find ourselves in an active shooter situation.
Every child should be able to experience each school day without fear. Zero incidents is what we strive for — doing anything less is simply not an option.
