A crew is set to begin demolishing the three-story classroom building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 individuals tragically lost their lives in the 2018 mass shooting. Families of the victims have been invited to witness the initial demolition and even participate by striking a blow or removing a piece of the building themselves if they wish. The project is expected to be completed before the school's 3,300 students return from summer vacation in August, most of whom were in elementary school at the time of the shooting.
The building, which had been preserved as evidence for the shooter's 2022 penalty trial, was visited by jurors who observed its bullet-riddled and blood-stained interiors. Despite this, the shooter was spared a death sentence and is now serving life without parole. Broward County joins other communities in taking down school buildings following mass shootings, such as Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut and Robb Elementary in Texas.
Over the past year, victims' families have led tours of the building for various dignitaries and officials, showcasing potential safety improvements like bullet-resistant glass, enhanced alarm systems, and doors that lock from the inside to prevent future tragedies. The tours have been described as emotionally challenging, with remnants of the 2018 incident, including textbooks, laptops, Valentine's Day mementos, and abandoned toys, now removed.
The Broward County school board has yet to decide on the future of the site. Suggestions include creating a practice field for school groups like the band and Junior ROTC, with a landscaped pathway leading to a nearby memorial honoring the victims. Some parents advocate for transforming the area into a permanent memorial to commemorate those who lost their lives.
