Opinion on school shootings

The uvalde shootings disgust me. It also scares me. The fact that there is no way of knowing when something like this may happen, or who it will happen to, is scary. This is my first writing piece on this website, but I’ve thought long and hard about this topic, and I think that my opinions should be heard. I’m also sure, that others will share my views. Obviously, no man in their right minds would ever commit such an atrocious act of violence, let alone against a school of 8-11 year olds. However, I believe he had complete control over his mind and was completely aware of what he was doing. Insanity in a court of law is different from what you and I would consider “insane”. To be found not guilty, you need proof that the defendant was not capable of distinguishing between right and wrong. You also need proof that this mindset you were experiencing was occurring and active during the event (shooting). People who decide to cause a school shooting are usually what is called a “copycat” shooter. A copycat shooter is a shooter that, after seeing that a previous shooter got off with simple jail time, they believe that they can kill multiple children and simply be locked away. Now mind you, 7 counts of first degree murder is already a very long time in prison. However, many of the shooters will fake a mental illness, as to try to be placed in a psych ward instead of prison. But do you think that’s fair? Say your child is sent off to school, and you never see them again. Ever. No parent of family will ever truly recover. Ever. It will be with them every day of their lives.

One victim of the shootings was a woman named Irma Garcia. Mireles' co-teacher, Irma Garcia, was killed, according to her son, Christian Garcia. “Irma Garcia taught at the school for 23 years, according to her school profile. In 2019, she was one of 19 San Antonio-area teachers named a finalist for a Trinity University prize that recognizes excellence in teaching. Garcia had four children and loved barbecuing with her husband and listening to music. Her son said a friend in law enforcement who was at the scene saw Garcia shielding her students. Garcia's husband, Joe Garcia, collapsed and died Thursday, two days after the shooting, while he was preparing for his wife's funeral, family members said. They were married for 24 years.” -NBC News.

I understand if the person is insane, they should get therapy. However, no amount of therapy will make them forget the pain of losing a child. I believe that this crime, of school shooting, should warrant the death penalty, if the defendant is found guilty beyond a resonance doubt. Locking these people up for life obviously isint discouraging or stopping other copycats from simply repeating the event. This will never stop unless we take drastic action. All it takes is one person, to ruin countless lives. Then, instead of being truly punished, they are simply locked away. I can’t be the only one who would feel cheated. To feel robbed. This specific shooter in Texas is 18 years of age, and should be charged as an adult. Texas still has the death penalty. If this man was truly insane at the time of the shooting, then how did he get his hands on a gun? How did he ever get that close to a school?

These questions are just a few that I hope the court will find.

I hope this man is punished for his crimes. We should be protecting our children, and our childrens parents. By leaving this man alive, it will only encourage other copycats.

With all this said, I’m sure they will find him guilty. His sentence, however, I’m not so sure of.