Melania Spalla is the name of the woman who died. A 21 y.o. senior. She was from Altoona.
Brandon Malovrh was truly a hero. Not only did he disarm the shooter, but he then used his belt as a tourniquet around the shooter's leg, after she stabbed herself - while trying to stab him.
Link to Collegian story:
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_04f66e62-b08c-57e9-853e-a33e7c002edc.html
I remember it well. I regret this problem will continue to get worse [I'd like to add "before it gets better", but I see no cause for confidence]. Alot of you guys have shared thoughtful and valuable ideas, but I think three in particular (in addition to Gladwell's) resonate with me:
The first is that not enough people are willing to make it their problem. Sure, people are willing to talk about these situations when they arise and all or nearly all of us would love to see a meaningful change and be part of it. But an extremely slim minority of all of us is truly devoted to achieving a solution. That suggests to me that we're far from a tipping point where enough of us are willing to do what it takes to even start addressing this.
The second is that this is an extremely complicated issue and few are truly prepared to discuss it at this time. And even the framing of the issues and discussions of solutions (while again, thoughtful) seems too narrow. Gun control, security, mental health and support for social outcasts would be one heck of a start. But what about religion? What about parenting? What about the first amendment, the extremity of messages, the polarization of politics and disenfranchisement and the glorification of individual achievement, including horrific ones ranging from real (or fictional) wars to these incidents? What about over-consumption, overpopulation and mechanization of many jobs our bodies were meant to perform? And what about the fact that these incidents are essentially just stacking the odds while hunting one another?
The third is that, although there was an element of levity in his post, psuro hit on one of the biggest solutions. These people are outcasts. They are not accepted or appreciated or in many cases welcomed (or feel welcomed). They're not getting laid (and many of these crazies watch A LOT of porn--not a problem in itself but like all vices ...). We're really complicated beings, in terms of our social instincts, our emotions, our sex drives... Look at the crap that happens when stuff goes bonkers with peoples' sex drives. People who fit in and are getting laid, aren't stacking the odds and hunting one another. Geez, talk about a complicated basket of stuff NOBODY wants to touch (not even me. I'm embarrassed for even writing that.)
Security and metal detectors in schools? A good start until there's a line of 50 students waiting in the school yard to get in when the firing starts.
Armed guards in schools? A good start but not a solution to the causes of the problem. Besides, tied it. Didn't work so well. Legit concern in not killing an innocent kid.
Gun control? Sounds good to me, especially making it harder for proven dangerous people. But with 300 Million + guns in the country? Come on. It's a thing but it's a partial solution at best and it's not the biggest part.
