PARKLAND, FLORIDA – Six years after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the school building where 17 lives were lost is now being demolished. The emotional moment has stirred mixed feelings among the families of the victims, some of whom watched as the destruction began on Friday.

The shooting, one of the deadliest in U.S. history, occurred in February 2018, leaving a scar on the community. The perpetrator was sentenced to life without parole in 2022. As the demolition commenced, authorities extended an invitation to the families of the victims to witness the initial striking blows to the building.

While some, like Lori Alhadeff, who lost her daughter in the tragedy, find solace in the demolition as a step towards healing, others, like Gena and Thomas Hoyer, who lost their son, struggle with the idea of letting go of the place where their loved one was last alive. The process of moving on and finding closure varies among those affected by the tragedy.

Amidst the differing opinions on the demolition, the local school board in Broward County, Florida, where the school is located, is yet to decide on the future use of the space once occupied by the building. Possibilities include creating a memorial or establishing a new structure for the school community.

As the community grapples with the loss and looks towards the future, the demolition of the building serves as a symbol of moving forward while keeping the memory alive. The decision on what will replace the building holds significance for the families, students, and faculty who were forever changed by the tragic events that unfolded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.