top of page
Writer's pictureBrendan Ongtengco

Hope in the Dark

TW: This piece will talk about the UNLV shooting


Darkness and silence filled the room, leaving only screen lights and machines whirring to contrast the atmosphere. Sitting silently huddled with my journalism classmates in that dark studio felt so surreal. Just a few minutes prior, we were recording what would’ve been our final show for the semester. The culmination of a semester-long grind came to a screeching halt by something far more sinister.


On December 6, 2023, I found myself caught in the middle of my first mass shooting. Shootings like the one that terrorized UNLV’s campus a year ago were a possibility that no student, faculty, or anyone else should ever have to consider. Yet for me and many who were on campus, that possibility became a reality. For me, it’s hard to reflect on that time and find solace anywhere. However, as I reflect on the tragedy I experienced that day, I realize I saw hope, too.


RUN-HIDE-FIGHT


At 11:51 am, the campus police phone alerts hit my class. We were in the Greenspun Hall at the time, recording our final show inside the school’s news studio. For those who may not know, this studio is two buildings away from where the shooting was and is separated only by the Student Union and the bookstore. We stopped recording once those alerts came in, and my professor and the tech manager ushered all of us into the broadcast control room where we sheltered-in-place.


For what felt like hours, my class and I hid out in that studio. The silence was deafening as the class frantically checked social media for updates, texted loved ones, anything to fill the time. I recall texting my parents to let them know of the situation and reassure them I was safe. I wasn’t sure how much information was out to the public, but I’d rather they heard it from me than secondhand. It was after I sent that message that the gravity of the situation hit me.


As shocked as I was realizing what was happening, I remember feeling eerily calm. To my recollection, much of the class was, too, which initially struck me as odd. Anyone could’ve understandably lost their composure under such circumstances, but in hindsight, I see it as the first sign of hope. In emergency situations, those who can remain calm offer a grounding effect to those around them, and that proved true in that studio. Seeing those around me be procedural and composed gave me reassurance I was in good hands. This continued as the tech manager returned to evacuate us from the building, where we made our way off campus.


Sticking Together


Leaving the building, the scene outside was chaotic. It felt like every second, a few emergency vehicles sped past us, rushing toward the kaleidoscope of sirens near the Student Union. Me and a few classmates grouped up with other onlookers at the nearby In-N-Out. We were on our phones, still trying to reach out to loved ones. It wasn’t long before we were forced to move, as at some point, police rushed toward us. While I assume they were just trying to usher us away from the scene, this movement ended up triggering a stampede.


In the chaos, my group ran further down the street to a nearby McDonald’s. Some employees were at the doors, ready to usher us inside, along with a few other onlookers from before. We lingered for a bit before my group agreed we should get as far from campus as possible. Before we left, some in the restaurant tagged along, and some employees wished us to stay safe before we departed. The group then went further down the street to a Vons, which, like the McDonald’s, had employees waiting at the door to usher us in. Here, I got a hold of my parents.


At this point, I could see that the traffic around UNLV was backed up, which made it tough to coordinate with them for a ride out of the area. A few others in the group ran into this same issue, resulting in some pairing up and hitching rides with each other. A classmate of mine was nice enough to offer a ride with him and his mom, though we’d have to walk down by the Strip to meet with her. From there, we ended up walking about three miles from that Vons to an In-N-Out near New York-New York.


Once we met up with his mom, they drove me to my family, who were waiting for me at Town Square. Thinking back, my classmate’s willingness to help was just one of many examples of such behavior I saw that day. I have immense gratitude to the employees at the McDonald’s and Vons who checked on us as we hid as well as my peers that stuck with me. Their selflessness helped maintain a sense of order and hope, both that day and in the time since. Just as I felt reassured back in the studio, I felt reassured I was in good hands to the end.


UNLV Strong


Once I got picked up, my family and I embraced. After talking with them, I found out that they literally dropped everything to come pick me up. They didn’t even have time to eat breakfast, so we ended up getting the chance to eat together. It was a nice break from the ordeal I went through, needless to say. We watched the news while friends and family checked in on me the rest of the day. I made sure to check in with some friends I knew were on campus as well. While some were stuck sheltering-in-place for hours, thankfully no one was hurt or near the shooting.


In the following days, classes were canceled and the campus remained closed. Classes I had yet to take a final for ended up canceling their finals or holding them online. Either way, my professors offered well wishes and extra credit for anyone who may have needed it. I also heard from friends that their classes ended up doing much of the same to end the semester off. The circumstances of these decisions were unfortunate but I was grateful for the understanding demonstrated by the faculty.


As more details came out, it was revealed that the shooting had unfortunately claimed the lives of three professors: Patricia Navarro-Velez, Jerry Cha-Jan Chang, and Naoko Takemaru. UNLV held a vigil for them a few days later, which I was able to attend. It was the first time I had attended an event like this, and I found it bittersweet. The shooting tragically took the lives of three devoted professors from UNLV. However, seeing how many people showed up for the vigil aided in feeling closer to the community.


Looking back, that would be a theme in the time immediately following the shooting. Having the chance to check in on fellow peers, friends, and family grounded me as I came to terms with the shooting.  I was reminded that I wasn’t alone, whether in mourning or in general. No one is, especially not in the face of such tragedy. That sentiment holds true even a year after, and for that, I am grateful.


One Year Later


For me, the shooting still comes up to this day. Since then, professors and classmates alike have exchanged stories about where they were that day. Former professors held space for discussion at the start of that subsequent spring semester. One professor admitted she was dealing with the traumatic effects from that day, which she was candid about. Understandably, she expressed her apprehension about leaving doors unlocked, as well as loud noises. Honestly, it was heartbreaking to hear, but in some ways, I’m sure we all felt the same as her.


Hearing those experiences of the shooting and its aftermath resonates with me. In a way, I think it really set the tone for both the following semesters and my personal road to recovery. It’s ok to struggle coming to terms with the UNLV shooting. It’s ok to be affected by it. But it’s also ok to go at it with the help of those around you. Knowing you’re not alone can make a world of difference moving forward from tragedy.


So I end with this. To anyone reading this, know you are never alone. You have what it takes to get through whatever the circumstances may be, whether the tools of success lie within or around you. Use them wisely, and may they be your hope in the dark.






About the Author:


Brendan is a senior at UNLV, and is currently majoring in Journalism. He is set to graduate in Fall 2024. With his concentration in digital/social media, he hopes to become a social media manager and content creator one day. He also hopes to grow not only personally, but also grow LYF's message this semester! Some of his passions include cosplay, video games, anime, and writing.

Related Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page