There have been 25 school shootings in the United States since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas is one of the first that viewers could see unfold live, not only through television sets but through their smartphones. Students inside the school were taking videos and pictures as the shooting was happening.
Some of the videos show the graphic scenes that students witnessed live before they were able to be evacuated from the building. Videos from the time the shooter was active show a terrifying scene. People are hiding behind anything they can find, barricading themselves in rooms, and seeing authorities come to evacuate them when the situation is under control. Helplessness is palpable in the videos, with uncertainty, and just plain fright.
If it wasn't for smartphones capturing the scenes, getting in touch with loved ones and contacting police would've have been much different.
The Columbine shooting is one of the deadliest school shootings in the nation's history. Despite the widespread media attention, the only accounts available were via word-of-mouth and grainy security camera footage.
Technology can give a glimpse into the shooting and improve the response time of those that are within the site to protect the students.
Videos From The Scene
Snapchat was an incredible tool on Feb. 14 during the shooting. Its new Snap Maps feature became available online and people could see what was unfolding at the scene. Videos of police rushing to the school, from outside the school, and inside the school showed the dramatic moments that everyone in Florida was living through.
Video from inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL high school earlier today as 19 year old Nikolas Cruz opened fire inside the school killing 17 individuals and wounding numerous others. It was the 18th U.S. School shooting so far this year Snapchat: mwcsfl pic.twitter.com/pFlfImsJVh — Brian (@brianorberto) February 15, 2018
Snapchat videos detail during and after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in #Parkland, #Florida. Broward sheriff says 17 people lost their lives @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/izsNR82TNK pic.twitter.com/MYfEE8yc9v — Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) February 15, 2018
#WATCH: Video taken from Snapchat of police rushing to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida pic.twitter.com/hiCQn0g8Cj — Max Lewis (@MaxLewisReports) February 14, 2018
My little brother just sent me this video of the swat team evacuating his classroom at stoneman douglas. So scary but glad he's safe. @nbc6 @CBSMiami @NBCNews @wsvn @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/XNTtra221q — Melody (@Melody_Ball) February 14, 2018
A 15-year-old Stoneman Douglas HS student showed me this video of about 60 kids hiding in band room during #Parkland Shooting. pic.twitter.com/4LSbkeTq0a — Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) February 15, 2018
Dramatic video shows police breaking through a door window to sweep and evacuate a classroom during the deadly shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. https://t.co/HHu3m4BshV pic.twitter.com/08yYDRYgxa — Good Morning America (@GMA) February 15, 2018
Social media also managed to capture the end of the shooting when suspect Nikolas Cruz was arrested by police. He has already admitted to carrying out the shooting that killed 17 people including teachers, administrators, and students at the school.
Text Messages To Parents And Loved Ones
Sending a final message to loved ones is a statement for someone who is already resigned to their fate. Students were texting their families, wishing them well, and telling them that they loved them as the events were unfolding.
While hiding in a bathroom for two hours, this is the text Sarah Crescitelli sent her parents. Dad and Mom both crying re-reading it. #stonemanshooting @ pic.twitter.com/zN7RY8a4vE — Chabeli Herrera (@ChabeliH) February 15, 2018
Parent's conversation with -14-year-old son who is currently in lockdown. pic.twitter.com/6M4f0FrbZJ — Carli Teproff (@CTeproff) February 14, 2018
