U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin reflected on the one-year anniversary of the deadly shootings at Michigan State University: “Today I am thinking of Arielle, Brian, and Alexandria, of their families, and join with the entire Michigan State University community to mourn that horrible day one year ago, as well as recognize the thoughtful determination Spartans have shown every day since to recover,” she said in a statement.
One Livingston County resident who has been showing that determination is Hartland High School graduate Nate Statly, who was seriously injured in the shooting and has been improving as of the last update.
As the member of Congress representing not one but two communities — East Lansing and Oxford — that have suffered school shootings and are grappling with the aftermath, Slotkin has gone through it all with her constituents. “I know far too well how these events last long beyond when the news cameras leave — and how they can rip a hole in the heart of a community that’s difficult to heal.
“I’m also thinking about the law enforcement and first responders from our local departments and across the state who sped to campus to help and assisted in the hours-long manhunt, the staff at Sparrow Hospital that jumped into action to treat the wounded, and MSU leadership, led by interim President Teresa Woodruff, who quickly organized grief services and planned vigils for students to grieve as a community.
“And, most importantly, we can’t mark this anniversary without acknowledging the strength and activism we witnessed by students in the days, weeks and months after the shooting. Student leaders organized rallies and vigils both large and small, on campus and at our Capitol.”
Slotkin said that she has taken solace in seeing students and young people become activists to promote gun safety.
“I know this generation of MSU students who lived through the shooting will carry their experience out into the world and use it for good.
“I have found that when students go through a traumatic incident, and they’re dealing with some form of post-traumatic stress, a fierce determination also develops to enact change through the power of their first-hand experience. I’ve taken solace in seeing students and young people become activists, interns, first responders, testify in Lansing, and even decide to make promoting gun safety a career. I know this generation of MSU students who lived through the shooting will carry their experience out into the world and use it for good.
Slotkin had praise for Michigan’s lawmakers who took swift action after the shooting at MSU.
“Just five weeks later, the Michigan Legislature passed historic gun safety legislation in the wake of this tragedy,” Slotkin said. “Many students and parents testified at the legislative hearings. And Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proudly signed those bills into law on MSU’s campus in April. They go into effect today.”
Slotkin said that there’s still more work to be done: “Michigan’s leaders are setting the standard for how to respond when our children are threatened in their sanctuaries: With legislation, with law, and through convictions in the courts. Taken together, Congress should take note and learn from that example.
“Today I will join the community on campus as we mark this anniversary and will continue to think about those still healing from the wounds of that day, both seen and unseen. This community has shown the world what it means to be Spartan Strong.”
