Parkland, Florida – Six years after the devastating mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the infamous 1200 building, which served as a grim reminder of the tragedy, is finally being demolished. The building had stood untouched since the 2018 shooting, where 14 students and three staff members lost their lives. Following its use as evidence in the shooter’s trial, demolition crews are now dismantling the three-story structure, piece by piece.
Originally scheduled to commence on Thursday, the demolition was delayed due to heavy rain and flooding. Described as a time capsule with visible bullet holes and bloodstains, the building was closed off as a crime scene after the incident and remained fenced off until now. The demolition process is expected to span several weeks, with no official announcement yet regarding the building’s replacement. Suggestions from students, teachers, and families have advocated for a permanent memorial in its place.
Family members of the victims were granted the opportunity to witness the demolition, providing them with a designated viewing area on the school grounds. Tony Montalto, president of Stand with Parkland, expressed the importance of moving forward by tearing down the building where countless lives were tragically taken. He emphasized the need for prioritizing school safety measures to prevent such horrors in the future.
Reflecting on similar tragedies, other schools have also opted to close and demolish buildings following mass shootings. Notably, Sandy Hook Elementary School was torn down and reopened in 2016 after the 2012 shooting. In a similar vein, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, was announced for demolition in 2022.
The aftermath of the Parkland shooting saw a push for gun control legislation and public safety reform, culminating in the establishment of the student-led organization, March for Our Lives. The organization, founded by survivors of the shooting, has since initiated numerous demonstrations and rallies calling for tighter gun control laws nationwide.
In the broader scope of school safety advocacy, the Stand with Parkland advocacy group was launched by Parkland families in 2018. Focused on practical public safety reforms, mental health support, and responsible firearms ownership, the organization works collaboratively with state and local officials to promote school safety initiatives and bipartisan actions.
As the demolition of the 1200 building progresses, the hope remains to create a space that not only honors the legacy of those lost but also fosters a safer environment for future generations. Through ongoing advocacy and legislation, the fight for meaningful change in school safety continues, driven by the shared goal of preventing such tragedies from occurring again.