Too close to home

The scourge of gun violence remains all too prevalent in our society. And unfortunately for our young people, there are moments when it seems they’ve been inoculated against the abnormality of this phenomenon. We’ve so often seen scenes of mass shootings – at schools, concerts, places of worship, public venues of every sort – that we are periodically anesthetized against the natural outrage, horror, and grief that such events naturally arouse. Until it happens next door.
(See also https://guitarandpen.blogspot.com/2016/06/smart-gun-laws-or-orange-is-new-black.html)

Today, at least two potential incidents occurred in Issaquah, Washington. First, Issaquah High School underwent a security lockdown, as apparently five individuals were involved with bringing weapons to the building. Two arrests have been made. Immediately upon the release of that facility from its lockdown, another district school, Skyline – where my daughter attends as a senior – went into lockdown mode due to a threat written on a bathroom stall door. Initially the students were sheltered in place (my daughter with her peers in the choir room). I was able to text with her (she gave me the first details regarding the other school), and she was able to inform me that it was thought to be a bomb threat disturbing their day.

Soon thereafter, the school posted that in coordination with law enforcement, the students would be evacuated so they could complete a sweep of the building. Shortly following, we learned that the authorities were able to debunk the threat as not credible. Of course, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Yet during those somewhat tense moments, I experienced firsthand that I’d never known before: initially, and somewhat surprisingly, I thought to myself, “ok, today’s just our turn.” I shook my head and responded (to myself), “what kind of nonsense is that? This isn’t supposed to happen.” Secondly, though she seemed calm and collected via our texts, I found that my daughter (and her friends) was, rightfully, frightened for their safety, as they’ve witnessed this type of episode way too many times in their young lives. Oh $&!t, not my kid!

Even after we knew it was safe, she texted me further:

     Will you just pick me up

     Like pick me up when this is over

     I don’t want to go to the rest of school

     Because I will not take the bus after this I don’t feel safe

That’s not the way it’s supposed to be. This hit too close to home. Now I feel even more keenly the pain and anguish of the victims and families of other instances that didn’t turn out so well.

Yes, it’s too early to determine fully what happened today, or to make final judgment on any perpetrators. As I already shared with one friend: We live in scary times – yet we can’t be deterred by fear. Issaquah is a great place to live, with wonderful schools, and we should be thankful for the diligence, professionalism and immediate response from the school personnel AND law enforcement.

May tomorrow be a better day.