Tallahassee, Fla. — A somber mood enveloped the Florida State University community as they grieved for two individuals tragically killed in a shooting on campus last Thursday. The victims, identified by the community as Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba, were remembered both for their roles on campus and the lives they led.
Morales, a cherished employee at FSU and former assistant football coach at Leon High School, was lauded in a statement released by the school’s athletics department. “He was a trusted coach, a respected colleague and a cherished friend to many,” the statement read, highlighting the profound impact of his loss on the community.
Chabba, from South Carolina, was working on campus as a vendor on the day of the attack. His untimely death marked a profound personal and professional loss, illustrating the random and tragic nature of the incident.
The shooting, which took place on a busy Thursday, left the university reeling. Among the survivors was Madison Askins, who detailed her harrowing experience. “When I got shot, I remembered what my parents told me about how to act during an active shooter drill—stay down, play dead,” Askins recounted. Even as she thought the shooter had moved away, the fear of making even the slightest movement kept her paralyzed on the ground. “He was telling people to ‘keep running,'” she remembered, highlighting the chaos of the moment.
Askins spoke from Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare where, as of Friday, she was being treated for a bullet lodged in her spine. Despite the shock, doctors noted that all victims arrived at the hospital clear-minded and able to communicate, a testament to their resilience in the face of such horror.
The response on campus following the incident has been one of profound mourning. A growing memorial filled with flowers and candles has become a site of reflection for many. Students and faculty alike are coming together to honor the memories of Morales and Chabba, focusing on their contributions and character rather than the circumstances of their passing.
Jamiyah Benjamin, an FSU student, expressed a sentiment shared by many: “They’re not going to be remembered in the light of what had happened, but who they were as people.” This perspective resonates deeply within the grieving community, offering a semblance of comfort amidst the sorrow.
Scarlett Shepard, another student, voiced the confusion and indignation still palpable among her peers: “How could you? And why?” These questions linger, reflecting the broader bewilderment and outrage prompted by the violence.
Amidst the mourning, there’s a push towards healing and remembrance. Julianna Gregory, a student at FSU, encapsulated this feeling. “It’s alright to mourn the person that you were before this, but I hope that you are able to be healed and be able to live the life that you wanted to live before this incident,” she said.
The shooter, critically injured after being shot by police at the scene, was among those transported to the hospital. Details about his condition remain sparse, but the medical staff at TMH indicated that all patients are expected to recover fully.
As the Tallahassee community continues to grieve, their solidarity in the face of tragedy speaks volumes of their resilience, offering hope that even the darkest times can lead to paths of healing and recovery.