In a tragic turn of events, Mia Tretta, a Brown University student, recently endured her second experience with a mass shooting. At just 21 years old, Mia resides in Providence, Rhode Island, where she grappled with the aftermath of receiving an active shooter alert while studying for finals. This alert resurfaced painful memories from a similar incident in her past.
Surviving Two Mass Shootings
Mia Tretta was first shot in the 2019 mass shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. During that incident, a 16-year-old gunman injured Mia and killed two of her classmates, including her best friend. After spending more than a week in the hospital, Mia underwent multiple surgeries to address her injuries, which included bullet fragments in her stomach and complications from nerve pain and an eardrum injury.
Feeling Unsafe in Higher Education
To escape the trauma of her past, Mia chose to attend Brown University. She believed she would be safe, far removed from the violence she had endured. However, with the recent shooting incident on her campus, Mia’s sense of security was shattered once again. “Gun violence doesn’t care if you’ve already been shot before,” she stated, emphasizing the pervasive nature of this crisis that affects all communities.
Community Reactions and Reflections
Following the recent shooting, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addressed reporters during a press conference. He reflected on a conversation with an injured student who mentioned that active shooter drills conducted in high school had proven helpful during the crisis. “While it provided hope, it was also a sad reality,” Smiley noted. “These drills exist because these incidents are alarmingly frequent.”
- Location of the Recent Shooting: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
- Mia Tretta’s Age: 21
- Previous Incident: 2019 Saugus High School shooting
- Mia’s Hospitalization: Over a week due to her injuries
In the aftermath of the shooting, there is an ongoing police presence on campus. As students prepare for the holiday break, many express feelings of fear and uncertainty. One student remarked, “Our perfect bubble, that we’ve been in for so long, just shattered.” The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence in America.
