Providence, R.I. — Returning to the hallowed grounds of Brown University, Spencer Yang is navigating a new chapter in his life after surviving a tragic shooting last December. The 19-year-old, whose family has deep roots at the Ivy League institution, is now focused on healing physically and emotionally while feeling the support of classmates and the university community.
Yang was wounded during a shooting on December 13. As he continues to recover, doctors have opted not to operate on the bullet lodged in his left glute, allowing time for it to naturally migrate to the surface. Despite his physical pain, Yang maintains a positive outlook and manages to find humor even in dark circumstances. From his hospital bed, he quipped that being shot might be “better than taking the Econ final.”
The day after the shooting, he was admitted to Bellevue Hospital, where he faced a whirlwind of medical activity. He recalls lying on a gurney, feeling both anxious and aware of the chaotic environment around him. “I thought I was going to die,” he remembered, recounting the moment he was struck and the subsequent chaos that ensued.
Yang’s love for volleyball is a significant aspect of his life, paralleling that of his sister—also a student at Brown. His teammates supported him through text messages while he remained hospitalized, expressing their desire for him to recover and rejoin them on the court. “I wanted to go to practice so much,” Yang said, reflecting on the camaraderie within the sport.
While he suffered a dime-sized injury from the bullet, which traveled deeply into his thigh, doctors informed him the fragmented pieces would remain permanently lodged in his muscle. Nevertheless, he views this incident as a part of his journey rather than the defining moment of it. “I hope to be known for more than just being a shooting survivor,” he expressed. “I want to do something else.”
His recovery includes physical therapy and adjusting to life on campus again. When he returned to Brown for the first time since the shooting, he was greeted with excitement and joy. Friends and fellow students welcomed him back with familiar warmth, and Yang felt a rush of nerves and exhilaration as he stepped back into his university life.
Amid the relief of returning, serious thoughts cloud his mind. Yang reflects on the loss of fellow student Ella Cook, who was one of the two fatalities in the shooting. He grapples with survivor’s guilt, recalling how close he was to the events that unfolded on that fateful day. “There’s definitely a little bit of survivor’s guilt because of my proximity to the people who passed away,” he said somberly.
As he moves through rehabilitation, Yang has reinstated some normalcy in his life, even picking up new hobbies like knitting. With a heart still heavy with memories of the shooting and hopes for the future, he aims to return to the volleyball court by mid-February. His determination reflects a spirit unwilling to be defined by tragedy.
Ultimately, Spencer Yang embodies resilience. His journey through recovery will not only be marked by the physical aspects of healing but also by a striving to flourish beyond the shadows of gun violence. As he continues to push forward, he hopes his experience can resonate with others, reminding them that life can still hold promise and possibility despite unexpected hardships.