Broward County remembers lives lost on seventh anniversary of Parkland shooting

On February 14, 2025, Broward County schools commemorated the tragic seventh anniversary of the Parkland school shooting, which occurred on Valentine's Day in 2018. This devastating event resulted in the deaths of 14 students and three staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. In an effort to honor their memory, students and staff engaged in a variety of volunteer and service projects throughout the district. Broward Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn emphasized the importance of this remembrance, highlighting the strength and compassion that unites the community. A moment of reflection took place at 10:17 a.m., when district schools paused to remember the victims. The community also gathered for a commemoration at Pine Trails Park in Parkland at 5 p.m. The day served not only as a reminder of the loss experienced by families and friends of those who perished but also as a call to action to foster love, kindness, and understanding within the community. In the aftermath of the tragedy, significant changes in gun legislation aimed at improving school safety were implemented across Florida, including raising the minimum age to purchase firearms and introducing new threat reporting apps to prevent future incidents. While progress has been made, families continue their advocacy for additional reforms to ensure safety in schools and to honor the memories of those lost. The emotional recounting of personal experiences and memories shared by the families of the victims reflects the lasting impact of that tragic day on their lives, as they strive to keep alive the legacies of their loved ones.