Kaufman, 19, is now studying political science at Yale University and plans to continue to advocate for gun control. She said she talks to friends from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High "every day" and has been FaceTiming and texting with them even more this week, as the anniversary approaches.
"We definitely cling to each other because we can't talk about it to other people," Kaufman said. "It's also been difficult because I think everyone copes differently."
Kaufman said some friends have been sharing memories of that day, including screenshots of the texts they sent to their parents.
"I think it helps them. It definitely re-traumatizes me. So it's a balance," Kaufman said.
Gun violence has risen across the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic. More Americans died of gun-related injuries in 2020 than in any other year on record, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. More than half were deaths by suicide.
The surge continued into 2021, when more than 1,500 kids were killed and more than 4,000 injured, according to the archive. So far this year, more children and teens have been shot compared to the same time last year, according to the archive.
Send an email
