Zoe Weissman, a 20-year-old sophomore at Brown University, has unfortunately experienced two mass shootings in her young life. The trauma from the Parkland school shooting in 2018, when she was just 12 years old, has deeply affected her. Weissman, who was near the school during the tragedy, developed post-traumatic stress disorder and became an activist against gun violence.
During the recent shooting at Brown University on December 13, Weissman went into survival mode due to her previous experience. The lockdown on campus lasted until the following morning, causing anxiety and frustration for Weissman and her family. The incident, which resulted in two deaths and nine injuries, was linked to a Massachusetts professor’s killing before the shooter took his own life.
Gun violence has plagued the United States, with at least 394 mass shootings reported in 2025 alone. Weissman, grappling with grief and anger, emphasizes the urgent need for gun reform to prevent such tragedies. Mia Tretta, another survivor of gun violence at Brown University, shares similar sentiments, calling for action to address the issue.
Weissman, now a medical anthropology student, finds solace and purpose in her activism against gun violence. She stresses the importance of preventing individuals willing to commit crimes from accessing firearms while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. As survivors of multiple shootings, Weissman and Tretta aim to advocate for change and healing in their community.