Brown University Shooting: Echoes of Trauma for Survivors

Mon Dec 15 2025 06:30:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mia Tretta, a school shooting survivor, reflects on the recent shooting at Brown University, where she faced the horrors of gun violence once again. This incident highlights the ongoing trauma and reality for students in America today.

Mia Tretta, who survived a mass shooting at Saugus High School, is faced with another shooting incident at Brown University. Despite seeking safety in higher education, the echoes of trauma from her past resurface as she grapples with the realities of violence on campus. As a growing number of students experience multiple shootings throughout their educational journeys, advocates like Tretta continue to push for stricter gun control measures. The tragic recurrence of such violence raises concerns over safety and psychological impacts within educational institutions.

Mia Tretta, a junior at Brown University and survivor of the 2019 mass shooting at Saugus High School, was shaken to receive an emergency alert during finals week. The alert warned of danger at the university’s engineering building, raising her fears of another shooting.

As details emerged of the shooting in Providence, Rhode Island, that claimed two lives and injured nine others, Tretta reflected on her past experience with gun violence. “No one should ever have to go through one shooting, let alone two,” she lamented. “I never thought this would happen again.” The shooting at Brown, an institution she believed would offer her a sense of safety, shattered that illusion.

This incident mirrors a broader trend of violence affecting students across the U.S., with many, like Tretta, facing similar traumas. Survivors from previous shootings, including those from the 2018 Parkland shooting, continue to encounter gun violence at different stages in their education. Such repeated exposure raises significant concerns about mental health and safety among students.

Responding to the unfolding tragedy, fellow students and political figures expressed their fears and solidarity. For instance, Louisville’s Mayor Craig Greenberg shared relief when he confirmed his son was safe after barricading himself during the scare.

Tretta has long been an advocate for stricter gun control, focusing on particular weapon types like 'ghost guns.' After her shooting experience, she has met with officials, including former President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland, advocating for policies aimed at reducing gun violence.

As she worked on her educational paper regarding the experiences of students living through gun violence, the realization struck her that her quest for a safe and normal environment was disrupted yet again. “I chose Brown because it felt like somewhere I could finally be safe in this new normal of being a school shooting survivor,” she expressed, emphasizing the urgent need for change.