Zoe Weissman, a 20-year-old sophomore at Brown University, found herself at the center of a traumatic event on December 13. Weissman, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida, was in her dorm room when she received a distressing call signaling another shooting on campus. The incident, which occurred in the university’s engineering building, triggered memories of her past trauma.
Weissman’s harrowing experiences have instilled in her a sense of hyper-vigilance and a quick response to danger. She attributes this readiness to growing up amidst lockdown drills and school shootings, which have become sadly familiar to her generation.
During the lockdown at Brown University that lasted until the following morning, Weissman remained glued to the news, seeking updates and reassurance from her worried family members. The incident, which resulted in two deaths and multiple injuries, underscored the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States, where there have been at least 394 mass shootings in 2025 alone.
Weissman, now a medical anthropology student, has channeled her trauma into activism for gun violence prevention since 2019. She emphasizes the importance of taking action to prevent gun violence and advocates for responsible gun laws that do not infringe on law-abiding citizens’ rights to self-defense.
Weissman’s story is not unique at Brown University. Mia Tretta, another survivor of gun violence, was shot during a mass shooting at Saugus High School in 2019. Tretta, now a junior at Brown, expressed her disbelief at having to endure another shooting incident, highlighting the lasting impact of such traumatic events.
Despite the challenges they face, both Weissman and Tretta remain committed to their activism and healing processes. They see their advocacy work as a way to regain control and make a positive impact in the fight against gun violence.
As survivors of multiple shootings, Weissman and Tretta hope to inspire change and urge others to support gun reform efforts that prioritize safety and prevention without impeding the rights of law-abiding citizens.
