The unthinkable just happened in Tallahassee, as a gunman entered the Strozier Library area at Florida State University and opened fire. Reportedly, three students were injured, one of whom is in critical condition, and the shooter is now deceased after authorities were forced to return fire while attempting to apprehend the suspect. A strange and silent aura lurks around the university this morning, as students are experiencing a mix of emotions.
Many are taking to social media to show their support, utilizing hashtags such as #OneTribeOneHeartbeat #FSUnited and #PrayForFSU. In the wake of tragedy, and the overwhelming unity the Florida State student body has shown in the past hours, the media held nothing back, poking fun, and making this issue about something it isn't.
ESPNU reporter Marisa Martin took to Twitter to make jokes almost immediately following reports of the incident, stating the shooter was "heading for" Jameis Winston.
A few hours later, following a significant amount of backlash, Martin took to Twitter once again to cover her tracks and "apologize" for her poking fun, while seemingly classifying her previous tweet as an opinion.
While sources are claiming her Twitter was hacked, the timing and the fact that her account was swiftly deleted just hours later, is a bit suspect. On top of these tweets, the New York Times couldn't bare to leave out the past controversy taking place at Florida State, even in wake of such a tragedy. Reporter Kenneth Rosen reported on the incident, and rather than leaving it at that, he left a little jab at the university at the end.
Hours later, the final section of the article shown above was changed and the last sentence was deleted.
This is where I stop speaking as a reporter. This is where I start speaking as a human being. This is where I start speaking as a student at The Florida State University, rattled, and shaken in the wake of tragedy. I am disgusted with some of the things I have observed in the media today. Today, the Florida State Community, and the nation as a whole should stand together and show support for the victims of this tragedy. Three people were shot, and a community of over 40,000 students has had their sense of security shattered in a place they call home. This is not the time for taunting.
To the media, and to the unreasonably critical: put aside our football program for a minute, put aside the negativity that has put FSU in the spotlight, and put yourself in our shoes. The people shot were someone's brother, sister, or even someone's child. A library of hundreds of people sat in fear not knowing if they would ever see their loved ones again. Remember that when you're relating this tragedy to unrelated things, such as our quarterback and current controversy at the university. This is not the time for jokes. This is a time for us all to stand together and show respect, pick up the pieces, and work together to move forward. We send our thoughts and prayers to the victims of this tragedy, and the entire campus community.
Today, we are all Seminoles. One tribe, one heartbeat. Florida State University.
