September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Read and share stories to honor survivors whose loved ones died by gun suicide.

239,330
total hearts received for Moments That Survive

Alisha Waters

The date was August 6, 2013, around 8:30 in the morning. I was patiently waiting for the elevator doors to open. Suddenly, though, I felt someone staring at me from behind. As I turned I saw the perpetrator — my husband. He had the gun pointed right at me, and he spoke no words.. Suddenly I heard my own voice mutter his name, “—- please.” It was at that point he opened fire on me.

He shot five shots toward me, with two spent shells on the ground. He shot me three times in my abdomen; still continuing to fire, he shot me in my leg. It was then that I fell to the ground and realized this was bad. The last shot hit me through the neck and immediately rendered me a quadriplegic. I lay there trying to play dead, hoping he thought I was dead!

I heard the final shot, and from there I knew it was over. He had taken his own life.
I woke up to a lieutenant asking me if I knew what happened. I recounted the whole horror show.

That officer saved my life that day, I’m forever grateful for him!

Reacting shows support for gun violence survivors.

239,330