Ryan Petty is our guest

The February 14, 2018, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, claimed the lives of 17 individuals—14 students and 3 staff members. Below is a list of the victims, each accompanied by a brief description of their life or legacy based on available information.

Victim descriptions from top left to bottom right, in order.

1. Alyssa Alhadeff, 14

   Alyssa was a vibrant soccer player and a freshman known for her leadership and kindness. Her parents founded Make Our Schools Safe, advocating for Alyssa’s Law to install panic alarms in schools.

   
   

2. Scott Beigel, 35

   A geography teacher and cross-country coach, Scott heroically unlocked his classroom to shelter students during the shooting, sacrificing his life to protect them.

   
   

3. Martin Duque Anguiano, 14

   Martin, a freshman and JROTC member, was remembered for his humor and loyalty. His brother described him as a caring friend who dreamed of serving others.

   
   

4. Nicholas Dworet, 17

   A senior and talented swimmer, Nicholas had earned a scholarship to the University of Indianapolis. He was known for his determination and bright smile.

   
   

5. Aaron Feis, 37

   Aaron, a football coach and security guard, died shielding students from gunfire. The Aaron Feis Guardian Program, allowing trained school staff to carry firearms, honors his bravery.

   
   

6. Jaime Guttenberg, 14

   Jaime, a freshman, was a passionate dancer with a contagious laugh. Her father, Fred, became a prominent gun control advocate, founding Orange Ribbons for Jaime

   
   

7. Luke Hoyer, 15

   Luke, a freshman, loved basketball and was known for his gentle, friendly nature. His family remembers him as a “beautiful human being” who brought joy to everyone.

   
   

8. Christopher Hixon, 49

   The school’s athletic director and wrestling coach, Chris ran toward danger to protect students. His widow continues his legacy of community service and school safety advocacy.

   
   

9. Cara Loughran, 14

   Cara, a freshman, was an Irish dancer with a shy but sweet personality. Her family and community honor her through scholarships and dance events.

   
   

10. Gina Montalto, 14

    Gina, a freshman, was a color guard member with a love for reading and art. The Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Foundation supports scholarships in her memory.

    
    

11. Joaquin Oliver, 17

    Joaquin, a senior, was a charismatic basketball fan and Venezuelan immigrant known as “Guac.” His parents founded Change the Ref, advocating for gun reform through art and activism.

    
    

12. Alaina Petty, 14

    Alaina, a freshman and JROTC member, was kind and dedicated to community service. Her father, Ryan, co-founded Stand with Parkland and The WalkUp Foundation to honor her legacy.

    
    

13. Meadow Pollack, 18

    Meadow, a senior accepted to Lynn University, was known for her fierce loyalty and beauty. Her father, Andrew, advocates for school safety and accountability.

    
    

14. Helena Ramsay, 17

    Helena, a senior, was an academic standout with a love for history and travel. Friends remember her as compassionate and wise beyond her years.

    
    

15. Alex Schachter, 14

    Alex, a freshman, played trombone in the school band and was known for his quiet humor. His father, Max, established the Alex Schachter Scholarship Fund for music education.

    
    

16. Carmen Schentrup, 16

    Carmen, a junior and National Merit Scholar semifinalist, was intelligent and musically gifted. Her family advocates for gun violence prevention in her memory.

    
    

17. Peter Wang, 15

    Peter, a freshman and JROTC cadet, died holding a door open for others to escape. He was posthumously admitted to West Point, his dream, for his heroism.

    
    

These individuals are remembered through memorials, foundations, and ongoing advocacy by their families and the Parkland community, ensuring their legacies inspire change.

Two survivors of the February 14, 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, later died by suicide. Their names and brief details are as follows:

1. Sydney Aiello, 19

   
   

   Sydney, a 2018 graduate, took her own life on March 17, 2019, about 13 months after the shooting. She struggled with survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly after losing her close friend Meadow Pollack in the massacre, and feared being in college classrooms due to her trauma.

   
   

2. Calvin Desir, 16

   
   

   Calvin, a sophomore at the time of the shooting, died by suicide on March 23, 2019, less than a week after Sydney’s death. Details about his specific struggles are less documented, but his death was linked to the trauma of the shooting, with police noting it as an apparent suicide.

   
   

These tragedies highlighted the profound mental health challenges faced by Parkland survivors, prompting calls for increased mental health resources, including from advocates like Ryan Petty, who emphasized suicide prevention efforts.

The Parkland, Florida, community has driven significant changes in laws and standards since the tragic February 14, 2018, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people were killed and 17 others injured. These efforts, spurred by survivors, families, and activists, have focused on school safety, gun control, and mental health reforms. Ryan Petty, whose 14-year-old daughter Alaina was killed in the shooting, has been a pivotal figure in advocating for practical, bipartisan solutions to prevent future tragedies. Below is an overview of the positive changes and Petty’s specific contributions.

Positive Changes in Laws and Standards

1. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (SB 7026)  

   • Overview: Enacted in March 2018, just weeks after the shooting, this bipartisan Florida law introduced comprehensive reforms to enhance school safety and restrict gun access.

   • Key Provisions:

     • Raised the minimum age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21.

     • Imposed a three-day waiting period for gun purchases.

     • Established a red flag law (Extreme Risk Protection Orders, ERPOs), allowing law enforcement to temporarily seize firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.

     • Banned bump stocks, which enable semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly.

     • Allocated funding for school safety improvements, including hiring school resource officers (SROs) and implementing behavioral threat assessment programs.

     • Created the Aaron Feis Guardian Program, allowing trained school staff (excluding teachers) to carry firearms, though this was later expanded to include teachers under SB 7030 in 2019.

     • Increased mental health resources for students, including funding for counselors and behavioral health programs.

   • Impact: The law has been credited with preventing potential violence through red flag interventions and improving school security. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, a proponent of the red flag law, noted its effectiveness in averting threats. The act served as a model for other states and federal discussions on gun safety.

2. Subsequent School Safety Legislation  

   
   

   • SB 590 (2021): Advocated by Stand with Parkland, this law updated the 2018 act by requiring school resource officers to complete mental health intervention training and mandating the Department of Education to publish school safety data. This transparency ensures advocates have tools to monitor and improve safety measures.

   • SB 7040 (2020): This bill incorporated recommendations from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission and a statewide grand jury. It refined laws on armed security, mental health services, and district oversight without the contentious teacher-arming debates of prior years. It also added three education professionals (superintendents, principals, or teachers) to the safety commission to ensure local input.

   • Alyssa’s Law: Named after victim Alyssa Alhadeff, this law requires schools to install silent panic alarms linked directly to law enforcement for rapid response during emergencies. It was championed by Alyssa’s parents through their organization, Make Our Schools Safe, and has been adopted in Florida and other states.

   
   

3. Federal Legislation Influenced by Parkland  

   • STOP School Violence Act (2018): This federal law provides grants to schools for violence prevention programs, including threat assessment training and security upgrades. Parkland advocates, including Ryan Petty, worked with Senators Orrin Hatch, Marco Rubio, and Bill Nelson to pass this bipartisan measure.

   • Fix NICS Act (2017, enacted 2018): Strengthened the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to ensure accurate reporting of disqualifying records, addressing gaps exposed by prior shootings. Petty’s advocacy with federal lawmakers helped secure its passage.

   • Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022): This federal law allocated billions for school safety, mental health programs, and enhanced background checks for gun buyers under 21. While broader in scope, it was influenced by Parkland’s advocacy for comprehensive safety measures.

4. Gun Control Measures Nationwide  

   • The Parkland shooting galvanized a national movement, leading to 67 gun safety laws across 26 states and Washington, D.C., in 2018, as reported by the Giffords Law Center. These included bump stock bans, red flag laws, and expanded background checks. Florida’s reforms, particularly the age restriction and red flag provisions, inspired similar laws in states like Vermont and Hawaii.

   • The student-led March for Our Lives movement, founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas survivors, organized nationwide protests and raised millions to advocate for gun control, amplifying the push for state-level reforms.

5. Mental Health and Community Support Initiatives  

   • Parkland Cares: This foundation connects students, teachers, and the community with mental health counseling and therapy, later expanding to fund local nonprofits providing these services.

   • Professionals United for Parkland: Offers evidence-based mental health services, clinical training, and community education to address gaps in post-shooting support.

   • Camp Shine: A free arts therapy program for South Florida students, providing therapeutic outlets through summer and winter programs.

   • SaferWatch Platform: Supported by Stand with Parkland, this technology facilitates real-time communication between victims and law enforcement during emergencies, enhancing response times. The opening of a new SaferWatch facility was celebrated as a milestone in school safety.

6. School Safety Standards and Practices  

   • Behavioral Threat Assessment Models: The U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) released a report, promoted by Stand with Parkland, to help schools identify and intervene with troubled individuals before violence occurs. Florida schools adopted these models to monitor and support at-risk students.

   • Increased Security Measures: Schools implemented locked gates, secured doors, and visitor verification systems, as recommended by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission. Active shooter drills and armed security presence became standard.

   • Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act (2021): A bipartisan federal bill, supported by Stand with Parkland, aimed to recruit and retain school-based mental health providers to address shortages, ensuring students have access to support.

7. Memorial and Community Healing  

   • Parkland 17 Memorial Foundation: This nonprofit is fundraising to build a public memorial at the former Heron Bay Golf Course to honor the 17 victims, providing a space for reflection.

   • Community vigils, art therapy programs, and counseling funded by the state (as announced by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi) have supported healing for survivors and families.

   
   

Ryan Petty’s Accomplishments

Ryan Petty has been a leading voice in school safety advocacy, channeling his grief into actionable reforms. His work emphasizes a “school safety triad” of enhanced campus security, improved mental health screening, and responsible firearms ownership, avoiding polarizing gun control debates. Here are his key contributions:

1. Advocacy for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act  

   • Petty played a critical role in passing SB 7026 in March 2018, just three weeks after his daughter’s death. He and his son Patrick accompanied then-Governor Rick Scott to Tallahassee, addressing the Florida House and Senate to urge bipartisan action. Petty’s message, “If this evolves into a gun control debate, we are going to miss our opportunity to get something done,” helped focus lawmakers on practical safety measures. His testimony, alongside other families, was instrumental in securing unanimous passage of the bill, which included gun restrictions, school security funding, and mental health resources.

2. Founding and Leadership in Stand with Parkland  

   • As a founding member and board member of Stand with Parkland – The National Association of Families for Safe Schools, Petty has advocated for comprehensive school safety reforms. The organization, formed with other victims’ families, has achieved:

     • Support for SB 590 (2021), enhancing mental health training for SROs and mandating school safety data publication.

     • Advocacy for the 2024 School Safety Bill, sponsored by Rep. Dana Trabulsy, which updated the 2018 act to further protect students.

     • Promotion of the SaferWatch platform, improving emergency response through real-time communication.

     • Collaboration with the Office of Gun Violence Protection to advance school safety policies.

     • Meetings with bipartisan congressional members in 2019 and 2020 to push for the Eagles Act (school safety funding) and the TIPS Act (improving threat tip sharing with local law enforcement).

3. Co-Founding The WalkUp Foundation  

   • In April 2018, Petty and his wife Kelly launched The WalkUp Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving school culture and safety through evidence-based programs. The foundation focuses on:

     • Early identification and intervention for potential threats, drawing on Secret Service research linking school shooters to suicidal tendencies and untreated mental health issues.

     • Educating students, educators, and parents to report concerning behaviors.

     • Fostering positive school environments to reduce isolation and violence.

   • The foundation’s work complements legislative efforts by promoting proactive, community-driven solutions.

4. Federal Advocacy  

   • Petty worked with Senators Orrin Hatch, Marco Rubio, and Bill Nelson to pass the STOP School Violence Act and Fix NICS Act in 2018, securing federal funding and improving background checks. Senator Rubio credited Petty’s efforts for advancing the STOP School Violence Act.

   • He met with Senator Lindsey Graham in 2019 to discuss red flag laws and attended a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Extreme Risk Protection Orders.

   • Petty supported the U.S. Secret Service’s NTAC report, traveling nationwide to promote its behavioral threat assessment model, which helps schools intervene before violence occurs.

5. Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission  

   • As a member of the commission, Petty helped investigate the shooting’s causes and recommend preventive measures. The commission’s findings shaped SB 7040 and other reforms, emphasizing locked doors, armed security, and threat assessments. Petty stressed practical steps like securing campuses and training teachers for active shooter scenarios.

6. Appointment to Florida State Board of Education  

   • In January 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Petty to the Florida Board of Education, recognizing his expertise in school safety. This role allows him to influence statewide education policies, ensuring safety remains a priority.

7. Opposition to Arming Teachers and Focus on Practical Security  

   • Petty and Stand with Parkland opposed arming teachers in SB 7030 (2019), arguing that teachers should focus on education while trained law enforcement or security officers handle protection. Instead, he advocated for locked gates, visitor verification, and active shooter drills, which have become standard in Florida schools.

8. Recent Advocacy Against Federal School Discipline Guidelines  

   • In April 2025, Petty and Andrew Pollack celebrated President Donald Trump’s decision to rescind Obama-era school discipline guidelines, which they argued endangered students by limiting disciplinary actions. Petty claimed these policies contributed to the Parkland shooting by allowing the shooter’s behavioral issues to go unaddressed.

Broader Context and Sentiment

The Parkland community’s response, including Petty’s efforts, has been praised for its bipartisan approach, though not without controversy. Student-led groups like March for Our Lives focused on gun control, sometimes clashing with Petty’s emphasis on security and mental health over stricter gun laws. Petty, a lifetime NRA member, has argued that gun control alone is insufficient, pointing to the complexity of school shootings and the need for multifaceted solutions. His criticism of political photo ops, such as Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 visit to the school, underscores his belief that the site is “hallowed ground” and should not be used for agendas.

Despite progress, challenges remain. Recent attempts by some Florida Republicans to roll back the age restriction for gun purchases and repeal red flag laws have raised concerns, though these efforts stalled after the 2025 FSU shooting. Petty has argued that behavioral threat management and campus security, not gun control, have been most effective in protecting Florida’s K-12 schools, advocating for their expansion to higher education.

Conclusion

The Parkland community has transformed its tragedy into a catalyst for change, achieving landmark laws like the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act, advancing federal legislation, and fostering mental health and safety initiatives. Ryan Petty’s contributions—through advocacy, legislation, and organizations like Stand with Parkland and The WalkUp Foundation—have been instrumental in shaping these reforms. His focus on bipartisan, evidence-based solutions, such as threat assessments, secured campuses, and mental health support, has left a lasting impact on school safety in Florida and beyond. While debates over gun control persist, Petty’s work ensures that practical measures continue to protect students and educators.