It Can Happen Here: A Gunman Opens Fire at Northern Illinois University
Published February 15, 2008
When I was in college back in the mid-1970s, Northern Illinois University was the four-year home of many friends. Not as prestigious as Champaign’s University of Illinois, NIU was always the school out there in the cornfields: far enough from Chicago that you could truly “be away” at college. Yet located just 65 miles from the city, it was close enough that you could easily drive home for the weekend. These days, I have a few friends whose kids attend NIU, and my own high school junior is beginning to plan for his own college experience somewhere. Several months ago, as I watched the details of the Virginia Tech shootings unfold on MSNBC and CNN, I was saddened and grieved, but in an abstract way. I knew no one at Virginia Tech, like I had known no one at Columbine High School, nor at any other college or high school campus where this sort of senseless violence occurred. They were “there” not “here.”
But this time it’s different. I listened to the local radio station in my car as the college president explained what had happened on an ordinary winter day, in a freshman geology lecture. I longed to hear names, wondering if any of our local kids had been hurt or worse; anyone whose parents I know.
Then name of the first victim was announced, a young man from Elmhurst, Illinois — half and hour's drive from here. And then this morning more victims and more hometowns, some nearer, some farther. And I worried. And thought about my college senior, safely (or so I want to believe) sequestered at her ivory tower of a Boston-area private college, realizing that safety is an illusion. Because if can happen here, it can happen there.
A lone gunman enters with a rifle and two handguns and starts shooting and five young lives are ended; another 18 lives are changed forever; the psyche of an entire campus of young adults is challenged in a way their parents never though possible just the other day. And northern Illinois is shaken, understanding all too well, that it can happen here.
The college president explained to reporters that there was probably nothing that could have been done to prevent such a random act of violence. The shooter, a bright and, by all accounts, promising young man, obtained his weapons legally right here in Illinois. And I have to wonder whether the college president's words are entirely true. But perhaps that's a discussion for another day.
- It Can Happen Here: A Gunman Opens Fire at Northern Illinois University
- Published: February 15, 2008
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Culture
- Filed Under: Politics: Policy, Politics: Law and Rights, Culture: Society
- Writer: Barbara Barnett
- Barbara Barnett's BC Writer page
- Barbara Barnett's personal site
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The incidents nationwide must have something or someone in common -- what/who?
I know how you feel. Though, for me it hit home a little more, I think.
I graduated from NIU just a few years ago, and I also had classes in the building where the shootings took place. This was very shocking when I started hearing the news Thursday afternoon. I emailed a friend of mine who I went to NIU with (her then-boyfriend, now-husband went there, too), saying how strange it feels to have this hitting 'so close to home'. But as of the time I wrote that, I had no idea just how close it would ultimately prove to be.
On Friday when they revealed the identity of the shooter, it didn't do anything at that time to add to the existing shock since I really didn't know or recognize him.
But then on Saturday morning, the friend I emailed called me on the phone, and I was in for an even greater shock. This friend that I emailed had another friend (also a female) that she went to community college with prior to going to NIU (the other friend went to U of I). As a result, we all hung out together on several occasions, including visits to each others schools and homes (back when we were all still living with our parents when not at school).
Well, on Saturday morning, when the friend that I emailed called me up, she pointed out that this other friend that we hung out with all of the time is the sister of the shooter at NIU. It completely blew my mind. I hadn't pieced it together because I didn't really remember her last name (I don't think that info ever came up very often, if at all, in any conversation that I ever had). And I don't specifically recall ever meeting the shooter, himself, though I know one time several years back we were at their family's home hanging out, so I may have met him in passing, but I don't specifically recall if I did or not (I wouldn't have known him from any other stranger if I passed him on the street a week ago).
It's just very shocking and scary how close to home this all hit. I feel really bad for what everyone involved is going through, for both the victims and the family/friends of the shooter who didn't see this coming.
Dynamo--I can't even imagine how truly much of a shock that must've been. My heart goes out to all who have been affected by this nightmare.
Barbara
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I am an alumni of NIU and took classes in the same auditorium where it happened. It is simply unbelievable to think that I could've been there.
I was impressed with the response of the school to the whole thing. These things will never be prevented but its good to see that schools are getting better at containment and alertness.