- Florida State University students used gum to stick paper on windows to hide from the shooter.
- The incident took place at the campus student union, leaving two dead and several injured.
- Students acted quickly under pressure while gunshots rang nearby.
In the middle of a horrifying mass shooting at Florida State University, students trapped in a classroom used chewing gum to black out their windows with paper. This was a quick-thinking tactic to avoid being seen by the shooter.
The attack occurred near the student union just before noon, leaving two people dead and several injured. Students like Jeffrey LaFray and McKenzie Heeter were frighteningly close to the shooter. They shared their experiences on national news outlets. They shed light on the terrifying moments and the small, life-saving choices they made in real-time.
Chewing Gum and Courage: How FSU Students Protected Themselves
During Thursday’s deadly shooting at Florida State University, students trapped inside classrooms found themselves with limited resources—and little time. Their teacher suggested covering the windows to keep the shooter from seeing inside. But without tape, the students had to think fast.
Jeffrey LaFray, one of the students present, told Good Morning America how they started chewing gum and used it as an adhesive to stick paper on the glass. That small, creative act became a way to shield themselves during the chaos. They turned a piece of chewing gum into a tool for survival.
Meanwhile, other students, like junior McKenzie Heeter, were just feet from the suspect. They recall the intensity of the moment—the blaring alarms, the panic, and the sudden stillness as people ducked for cover. Her story, like many others, echoes the trauma faced by countless young people in schools and colleges across the country.
The shooting not only left emotional scars but also sparked new conversations about campus safety. Emergency preparedness and how even the smallest acts of innovation—like chewing gum—can make a difference in moments of crisis were also discussed.
The bravery and quick thinking of FSU students amid chaos is a stark reminder. Survival sometimes hinges on instinct and cooperation, even with something as simple as chewing gum.
“Necessity is the mother of invention.” — This quote perfectly captures the students’ use of gum to shield themselves, turning desperation into a protective solution.
