PHOTOS: FSU Student Shot In Backpack By Gunman, Textbooks Likely Save His Life
11 years ago

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Terror unfolded early Thursday morning as a gunman opened fire at students inside Strozier Library on the campus of Florida State University. Three students were reportedly shot. One of them is in critical condition. The only fatality reported was that of the assailant, who was killed in a shootout with police soon after the first shot was fired. From the information available, it seems the situation was handled just about flawlessly by the Tallahassee PD.

More about that first shot fired, though: it struck a student’s backpack, traveled through one textbook, and was lodged in a second. The student, thejasond123 on reddit, explains his encounter with the gunman and the subsequent discovery of the bullet inside his backpack.

I’m a student at FSU, I was leaving Strozier when I heard a shot behind me. I turned around and saw the gunman shoot one person who collapsed. I turned and ran to my car before driving off. There were a ton of people stuck in the library when this happened. I went home so I don’t have any other details.

Edit: I got home and noticed two of my books were destroyed. They stopped the bullet. I was the initial target of the gunman. I’ve posted pictures of the bullet, the books, and my backpack. I’m beyond lucky to not have been injured at all. Thank you all for your support, your comments have comforted me.

Edit 2: Just got home from the station. Gave my statement, the police came by around 3:30 a.m. to collect the evidence. There were a bunch of people shaken up at the station, but it looks like everyone is okay. The worst injured guy is in surgery, and after that, hopefully (s)he’s in the clear. Also, thank you for the gold, kind stranger. 🙂

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[via reddit]

Images via imgur

      1. Tuco1855

        ..and you know the bookstore people will just nonchalantly throw out the, “ya know, I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do for you. The bullet holes weren’t present when you bought the book. I’m sorry.”

        11 years ago at 12:18 pm
      2. thebearjew

        why would you want to sell them? They saved his life. Even if he were to sell them they would go for a ton of money in an auction. They are worth a lot more now than they were worth before.

        11 years ago at 4:11 pm
  3. Virginia Gentleman

    Do what’s right, Rodge. #BringBackTheForum #NeverForget #GreatBlackBall2014

    11 years ago at 10:42 am
  6. ChiefDancesWithWhiskey

    Guess that class wasn’t pointless after all. Glad your safe, lad. Someone was watching out for you.

    11 years ago at 10:44 am
  9. Sleazy Asshole

    Gold? I hope that guy doesn’t actually think bullets are made of gold. Looks like a 9mm FMJ.

    11 years ago at 10:45 am
      2. sandiegobubbles

        You all have been saying it wrong. It’s not SandieGoBubbles. It’s SanDiegoBubbles… As in one of the best cities in America and we’ve birthed greats such as Ron Burgundy and that one guy that jacked it on the street corner that started Kony.

        11 years ago at 1:31 pm
      3. Shibby

        I don’t need to know you’re name for naked snap videos, baby.
        #SendTheNudeVideos #FreeTheChestPuppies #YesIUseBongsLikeANormalPersonButBluntsAreFunToo

        11 years ago at 1:42 pm
  10. USArmy

    I’m glad Jason is ok. .40/.45 MFJ is a nasty round.

    Quartermaster_TFM, you guys quit ordering that shitting ballistic gear that says “FRAGILE”. Just order a bunch of textsbooks and issue them to deploying units.

    11 years ago at 10:45 am
    1. soldier_for_freedom

      I’ll get on that right away. It’s gonna be cheaper, bulky, but it will weigh about the same. just to be safe lol

      11 years ago at 11:04 am
      1. IHazeObama

        Cheaper my ass… Have you seen the price of textbooks lately? Sucks for everyone thay actually buys them

        11 years ago at 11:39 am
      2. soldier_for_freedom

        They just need to be thick books is all. The content of said books doesn’t matter. Don’t worry I’m in supply, I got this.

        11 years ago at 1:07 pm