Six years have passed since the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Broward County. As the anniversary approaches, survivors and family members of victims continue to grapple with the memories of that fateful day. Two courageous survivors, Ivanna Paitan and Danielle Gilbert, recently sat down with Local 10 News to recount their experiences and discuss the long journey of healing they have undergone since.

Paitan and Gilbert were inside the 1200 building on the day of the shooting, specifically in classroom 1213 where they attended an AP Psychology class. Four students in the room were shot, tragically resulting in the loss of Carmen Schentrup. Benjamin Wikander, Maddy Wilford, and Samantha Mayor were fortunate to be rescued after sustaining injuries.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the shooting, Paitan shared, "It was very fast to try and go back to a normal day, and it was never a normal day ever again at school." Due to the number of funerals that took place, Gilbert revealed that they had exactly two weeks off from school. She expressed the difficulty in trying to resume a sense of normalcy, emphasizing that it was an impossible task.

During the recent Parkland school shooting trial, a chilling audio from a cell phone video captured by Gilbert on that day reverberated through the courtroom. Despite the horrific events, Gilbert stated, "That classroom literally changed me as a person, but for the best." Both survivors emphasized the strong bond they formed with their classmates and teacher, which played a crucial role in their healing process.

The 1200 building has remained a haunting reminder of the tragedy that unfolded that day in 2018 and has continued to haunt the survivors and community. Paitan shared, "It is very eerie, it is a crime scene, and it is still ongoing, the memories that happened that day." However, the impending demolition of the building, scheduled for this summer, signifies a new chapter in their healing journey.

Gilbert expressed her belief that the demolition of the building will be a symbolic step forward for the Parkland community. She stated, "We have seen it enough, we passed the building enough, so I think the building coming down will be a nice new chapter for the Parkland community." Paitan echoed her sentiments, suggesting that no longer seeing the building will aid their healing process.

Broward Schools confirmed that the demolition process of the 1200 building will commence after this school year, in June 2024. The survivors and community members look forward to the closure that the removal of the building will bring, allowing them to focus on moving forward and rebuilding their lives.

As the survivors continue to navigate their healing journeys, their resilience and courage serve as a reminder of the strength of the Parkland community. The six-year anniversary of the tragic shooting prompts reflection, but also offers hope for a future where such senseless violence can be prevented.