Covering tragedy
A look back at covering the Oxford School shooting from a journalist's perspective
The past two weeks have been difficult for students, parents, first responders, and many more in the State of Michigan.
It was Tuesday, November 30 around 1:20 p.m. I got an email from the Oakland County Sheriff alerting the media that a shooting had occurred at Oxford High School.
Oxford is a community in Metro Detroit and is about a 45-minute drive from my television station in Flint.
I was at home at the time of the shooting getting ready for work.
As soon as I get the email from the Sheriff’s Department, I knew that I needed to hurry up and get into the TV station.
From the moment I got into the station, it was non-stop coverage of the tragedy.
As the day moved on we learned more about the tragedy and that more people were hurt and killed than was originally reported by the Sheriff’s Department.
While I was at the television station I and my co-workers were focused on getting accurate information and relaying it to the public both on-air and online.
It wasn’t until I walked out of the TV station at midnight and got into my car that it hit me.
Children who went to school to get an education were just murdered in their own school, many more were hurt physically and mentally.
I sat in my car looked ahead and teared up thinking about the world our children have to grow up in.
I have a four and eight-year-old and they should not be worried about their safety when it comes to going to school.
Over the past week, every day seemed like there was a new development in the shooting investigation.
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I can only speak for myself, but the school shooting was mentally draining and tough to comprehend how someone could cause so much pain.
My prayers go out to the victims, students, staff, first responders, and anyone who was impacted by the shooting.
As a journalist, our job is to remain focused while reporting the story.
For me, the impact of the tragedy doesn’t hit on a personal level until the last newscast is over and I am on my way home.
I would be happy if I never had to cover a school shooting or a violent crime again.
I realize this senseless violence will continue, but as a journalist, I promise to cover it with accuracy and respect for the victims and their families.
I am more than a journalist, I am also a human being and a dad with feelings who worried about the future for our children.
As a former Michigan teacher, there are no words to describe what this horror feels like. It impacts students everywhere. We had to drill for possible entry of armed people. There is no drill on earth that prepares anyone for this. My heart breaks for those at Oxford High. Not just those who were killed or injured, but those who have to walk back into that school and remember. Their lives are changed forever. Any innocence is gone. It will take a lifetime for them to get over this. Worry about your children is real.
I’m from Oxford and it is a horrible tragedy for everyone. My daughter is scarred and us as parents are devastated and saddened that she was there. That added on to the masking of healthy young kids has disgusted me of what adults are doing to them. I pray for any parent that has young kids and I’m trying to keep Hope that this country will turn sane again. Keep up the good work. I love your TickTock It’s refreshing just to hear the news and no bias.