A mass shooting occurred at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport on January 6, 2017, near the baggage claim in Terminal 2. Five people were killed, six were injured in the shooting, 36 people sustained injuries in the ensuing panic. I jumped out a boarding door with no steps to the runway and ran for my life and lost my phone, carry-on bag and wallet in the madness.
My goddaughter Jessica’s grandparents were both killed by gun in a home invasion robbery in California 12 years ago. My nephew Matt committed suicide by gun five years ago while at college in Washington. My second goddaughter, K.C., committed suicide by gun three years ago on the eve of her 34th birthday in Washington.