Tragedy struck Oregon's Umpqua Community College on Oct. 1, 2015, when a gunman opened fire on that Thursday morning and killed 10 individuals and injured seven others, according to the New York Times. The once-peaceful school has been ravaged by the severe amount of violence and destruction, but even in the most dreadful of situations, the small community of Roseburg, where the college is located, has managed to stick together and overtake tragedy with a mighty fist.
The shooting is said to have started in one building before the gunman moved towards the school's science building. In the midst of the chaos, students reported people fleeing in panic, and other students reported hiding in their classrooms and calling loved ones. Immediately, the school underwent a lockdown, and the gunman then died in an exchange of gunfire with police officers.
I have no words to describe the awful situation. I have no words to describe the grief and mourning that is currently plaguing the town of Roseburg, but I have nothing but awe for the actions of the Roseburg community. They have managed to come together as a strong family. A candlelight vigil was held in remembrance of the lives of those who were lost in the Umpqua shooting. Unfortunately, this is another tragedy to add to a disproportionately large list of mass shootings in the United States, and, like Barack Obama said Thursday evening, "Our thoughts and prayers are not enough." Something must be done about these tragedies. When will they stop?
