A school in Florida couldn't stage a walkout against gun violence because of a school shooting - Independent

A school in Florida couldn't stage a walkout against gun violence because of a school shooting
Posted April 22, 2018
 by Greg Evans in news 
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Friday marked the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre where 15 people lost their lives.

As a mark of respect, high school students across the United States staged a nationwide walkout.

However, one school was unable to show their solidarity because someone started shooting a gun.

RoboKast
@RoboKast
 School shooting at my school, this crap is terrifying.... Praying for everyone. There was actually a scheduled walkout today. It becomes super real when it's your school.

11:46 PM - Apr 20, 2018

Around 8:40 am that morning, a 19-year-old reportedly fired a gun at the Forest High School in Ocala, Florida.

A 17-year-old was hit in the ankle by a bullet, but CNN reports that they are in a good condition at a hospital.

Minutes after the shooting began, school resource officer, deputy Jimmy Long, was able to take the shooter into custody with no resistance.

The shooter has since been identified as Sky Bouche by the Ocala Star Banner, a former student who spoke about a history of violence and mental illness in his family.

Bouche claimed that he didn't see the boy who he shot through a door, with a sawn-off shotgun, and soon put his weapon down and surrendered after seeing a girl in a hallway.

He reportedly purchased the unlicensed gun just a week after the Parkland massacre in February.

The teenager added that his reasoning for the shooting was "pretty much" the only way he could relieve himself of his traumatic life at home.

In a stark and calm interview with the Marion County jail he said:

My first memory is violence and conflict. That’s my first memory. And no one will believe me.

That’s one of the reasons people don’t think I’m serious.

He added that he did not feel any emotion for what had happened and that he only experienced adrenaline which was later replaced by a "disgusting feeling".

Pretty much all I’m feeling at this time is an adrenaline rush.

It’s not anger, it’s not hatred, it’s just an adrenaline rush, I’m about to do something.

I spend most of my time in the room alone...so I’m getting this rush.

He has been charged with terrorism, aggravated assault with a firearm, culpable negligence, carrying a concealed and unlicensed firearm, possessing a firearm on school property, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, interfering with school function and armed trespass on school property.

Just a day before the school had confirmed on Twitter that students were welcome to take part in a 'civic demonstration.'

Forest High School
@FHS_WildcatLife
 Tomorrow we will be participating in the student led civic demonstration.  This voluntary event will take place during CAT period with an announcement releasing students that wish to participate.  Any student not wanting to participate will remain in their CAT period class.

12:50 AM - Apr 20, 2018

However, as a result of the shooting, not only was their walkout cancelled, all walkouts in Marion County were cancelled.

Parkland survivor Ryan Servaites lamented what had happened and vowed to carry on fighting for stricter gun control. He told CNN:

The fact that it happened on this day, in a way, reinforces what we are trying to get across.

This happens. It is an issue. We see more people dying. Children are being hurt.

We won't stop. This is why. It is, in a way, the world slapping us in the face, but we just have to look at it as a wake-up call.

Servaites' sentiments were echoed by 16-year-old Grace Goldstein, who took part in a walkout at Stuyvesant High School, New York. She said:

We're very glad that no lives were lost.

We're incredibly grateful for that. Our reaction was, of course, this is how our country works.

The person who was shot today is on the list of the people who we're fighting for.