FR&A Video Story: Scenes Of A Grieving Community And A Message For Franklin Township
Editor’s Note: Normally, we would not cover a story outside of the township unless it involved a Franklin resident. But a trip to south Florida for a family gathering found me about a 20-minute drive from Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Fl., the scene of last week’s horrific mass killing in which a gunman murdered 17 students and faculty. Being a newsman, I felt compelled to visit the site, not intending to do anything more than maybe take a few pictures.
But when I arrived and walked around, I was engulfed by the palpable feeling of sadness and grief in the community. I felt that I should share the scenes I was witnessing: the makeshift memorials, the praying, the coming together of Parkland residents and Douglas high school students.
I made a series of several live streams, one of which contains a message from a Douglas High School alum to Franklin Township students, and the last of which shows families of the victims painting and decorating crosses that were erected along the front perimeter of the high school.
A walk along the perimeter of the high school:
A walk along the perimeter of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl., the scene of a mass shooting that left 17 students and teachers dead.
Posted by The Franklin Reporter & Advocate on Sunday, February 18, 2018
Parkland residents gather at a nearby park. Warning: Strong language; Not Safe For Work.
Parkland residents’ gathering at Community Park in Coral Springs, Fl.
Posted by The Franklin Reporter & Advocate on Sunday, February 18, 2018
Bradley Thornton, a 2016 graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, has a message for Franklin Township.
Bradley Thornton, a 2016 graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, has a message for Franklin Township.
Posted by The Franklin Reporter & Advocate on Sunday, February 18, 2018
17 crosses for 17 victims, painted and decorated by family members and erected along the school’s front perimeter.
17 crosses for 17 victims, painted and decorated by their families.
Posted by The Franklin Reporter & Advocate on Sunday, February 18, 2018
I also took some still photos during the day: