Florida | Brother of Parkland school shooting victim embraces demolition: ‘Gives us closure’

The 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where Nikolas Cruz killed 14 students and three adults in a Valentine’s Day shooting, is being torn down, much to the relief of Hunter Pollack, whose sister was one of the slain students. 

Pollack believes that the building is a constant reminder of the horrific tragedy and should be demolished to help the community heal. The building has stood as a painful reminder of the tragic day for years, and the tearing down of the building is seen as an opportunity for closure for the community, which has been traumatized by the events that took place there.

The 1200 building has been left standing for years, with bullet-ridden walls and blood-stained floors serving as a reminder of the tragedy. 

Despite the fact that Cruz was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and Scot Peterson was acquitted of criminal charges, the building continued to be a nightmare for those who have to pass by it every day. 

The tearing down of the building is a significant step toward bringing closure to the community and allowing them to move forward from the trauma that occurred there. Survivors, families of victims, teachers, and staff have been provided with the opportunity to retrieve any items they desire before the demolition process begins.

Pollack, whose sister was shot nine times by Cruz, has been an advocate for ending the unanimous jury requirement in death penalty sentencing after a divided 9-3 jury spared the life of Cruz. He believes that the building is a constant negative presence in the community and that its removal will help bring about a sense of closure for those who have been deeply affected by the tragedy. 

While it is unclear what will become of the site after the building is torn down, Pollack believes that a beautiful memorial could be built in its place, or nothing could be built at all, leaving the decision up to the school board and other officials in Broward County.

The decision to tear down the 1200 building has sparked mixed reactions among residents and families of the victims. Some have toured the building to see where their loved ones were slaughtered, while others, like Pollack, found it too painful to witness the scene of their loved one’s innocent death. 

Pollack believes that the footage and images from the shooting are too vile and disturbing to endure, and that the building itself is a horrifying reminder of the tragedy that occurred there. He believes that the community deserves a fresh start and that tearing down the building is a step in the right direction towards healing and closure.

The tearing down of the 1200 building is seen as a necessary step in the healing process for the Parkland community, which has been deeply affected by the tragic events that took place there. 

Pollack believes that the building serves as a constant negative presence in the community and that its removal will help provide closure to those who have been traumatized by the tragedy. While the decision on what will become of the site is still up in the air, Pollack believes that a fresh start is necessary for the community to move forward. 

The tearing down of the building represents a significant milestone in the community’s journey towards healing and recovery from the devastating events that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Source: globeecho.com, Jill Riley, June 15, 2024

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde