Second Parkland shooting survivor dies in suspected suicide within one week
Another survivor of the Parkland shooting has died from a suspected suicide.
The student, who hasn’t been named, was a survivor of the February 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School in Florida, The Miami Herald reports.
Seventeen people, including 14 students and three staff members, were shot dead.
On Saturday night the Year 10 student took his own life, police said. While he hasn’t been identified investigators told the publication he was a student of the school during the time of the attack.
However, it’s not known if his death is linked to the shooting, police added.
Florida’s emergency management director Jared Moskowitz told the paper more needed to be done to assist with those struggling with mental health issues following the attack.
“This is a terrible tragedy that the community continues to go through,” he said.
“I’m talking to the family members of the victims, as well as county officials, and waiting to see what direction or requests they may have.”
The student’s death is the second reported suicide of survivors of the tragedy. Sydney Aiello, 19, died on March 17.
Former Stoneman Douglas student and gun-control activist David Hogg mourned the deaths of the pair on Twitter, calling for action from the government and school district.
“How many more kids have to be taken from us as a result of suicide for the government/school district to do anything?” he tweeted.
“Rip 17+2.”
Ms Aiello suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and survivor’s guilt, her mum Cara told CBS Miami.
She added her daughter never sought help after the shooting and took her own life.
Ryan Petty, the father of Alaina who died in the attack, encouraged parents to “ask questions, don’t wait”.
“It breaks my heart that we’ve lost yet another student from Stoneman Douglas,” Mr Petty told CBS Miami.
How many more kids have to be taken from us as a result of suicide for the government / school district to do anything?
Rip 17+2 🧡😭
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) March 24, 2019
A GoFundMe page started by friend Blair Israel said Ms Aiello was a “beloved daughter, sister and friend to many”.
“She lit up every room she entered,” Ms Israel wrote.
“She filled her days cheerleading, doing yoga, and brightening up the days of others.
“Sydney aspired to work in the medical field helping others in need.”
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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