Honoring Kids Killed in School Shootings: “She Was Real, She Was Here”
The impact of school shootings in the United States has been profound, claiming the lives of over 160 children since the devastating Sandy Hook tragedy 13 years ago. The aftermath of these incidents leaves families shattered and rooms once filled with laughter now transformed into sanctuaries of memory.
Honoring Children Lost: “She Was Real, She Was Here”
Exploring the emotional journeys of grieving families, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp have dedicated themselves to documenting the empty rooms of children whose lives were cut short by violence. Over the past seven years, they have requested permission from parents to capture these poignant spaces, serving as a tribute to the children and a reminder of their presence.
Personal Stories of Loss
In Nashville, Chad and Jada Scruggs found their daughter Hallie’s room untouched since her tragic death two and a half years ago. Hallie, who was just 9, loved Legos and had a vibrant personality reflected in the cherished items that remained in her space. For her parents, the room is a crucial link to her memory.
“I do wonder, sometimes, what we will do with this room eventually,” Jada reflects, indicating the delicate balance of maintaining Hallie’s legacy while facing the reality of her absence.
Hallie was one of three children killed at The Covenant School in 2023. Grief has transformed Chad’s existence, forcing him to navigate through overwhelming sadness while finding new ways to cope.
Other Families Share Their Grief
- Gracie Muehlberger: Killed in 2019 at Saugus High School, Gracie’s room remains a refuge for her parents, who sought comfort there in the wake of her tragic loss.
- Dominic Blackwell: Another victim of the Saugus shooting, his room is preserved as a testament to his young life filled with dreams.
- Alyssa Alhadeff: The 14-year-old victim from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, her bathroom still holds personal items, symbolizing the abrupt interruption of a life.
A Nationwide Project
Through Hartman’s project, eight families across five different schools have invited Lou Bopp to photograph their children’s rooms. This initiative aims to counteract societal desensitization to these tragedies. Hartman stresses that each room, filled with personal artifacts, tells stories of unrealized dreams and aspirations.
“When you go into a kid’s room, you see their whole history,” Hartman explains, highlighting the importance of recognizing the lives lost amid continuous gun violence in schools.
Reflections on Moving Forward
While some families consider relocating to find peace, the challenge of leaving behind their children’s rooms weighs heavily on their decisions. The Muehlbergers grappled with this dilemma, eventually finding solace in the idea of creating a memorial called “Gracie’s Point” in their new home.
For Chad and Jada Scruggs, Hallie’s room is not just a space of absence, but a treasured relic representing her lifetime of joy and love. They assert the importance of keeping her memory alive, emphasizing that everyone should feel the weight of loss to understand the urgency of preventing future tragedies.
As the project continues, Hartman remains committed to documenting these spaces and the stories behind them, ensuring that the memories of these children are never forgotten. “If parents want us to, we’ll continue to document the rooms,” he states, a testament to the ongoing struggle of these families.
Support networks are available for those facing the profound grief of losing a child. This initiative serves not only to honor the memories of the innocent lives lost but also to invoke a deeper societal conversation about the prevalence of gun violence and its devastating consequences.
