Parkland parent: ‘I forgive you, Mr. Peterson … but I would have gone in’

I was one of the first parents on the scene at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. The worst and best day of my life. I am one of the lucky ones. I had two of my children on campus. They both came home to me.

The emotions, images, sounds, and terror are forever embedded in my heart and mind. I will tell you that my dear friend, Lori Alhadeff, was standing right beside me. Her daughter, Alyssa, was our daughter’s best friend and one of the seventeen victims.

I want to tell you that Lori and I were escorted from the yellow caution tape as sirens, helicopters, SWAT, news cameras, children, screaming, crying, confusion were all around us.

I want to tell you that we went through the yellow caution tape a number of times without even realizing what we were doing. We had to get to our children and the pull of that love sent us across lines not to be crossed.

I want to tell you that both Lori and I would have gone in that day.

I want to tell you that we wanted to, despite whatever protocols were to be followed or not followed.

I want to tell you the agony I felt that awful day and have felt every day since. Trying to get to your children. Your loved ones. Wanting to save them. Wanting to protect them. Not knowing what was going on. Scared. A terror indescribable.

Scot Peterson, I forgive you. I do. We are all human and we all make mistakes. I just want you Scot Peterson and the public to know how it felt to be on the outside. For my dear friend to text her daughter that help was on the way — when in fact it was not. You, Mr. Peterson, were the only one on campus who was armed.

I forgive you, Mr. Peterson. We are all human. But I was there. I would have gone in. I would have taken your gun and done what you did not. I was there. I was ready. Maybe if one of your children were in there. Maybe if it was your brother or sister. Your mother or father. Your niece or nephew? Maybe then, Mr. Peterson, you would have run in. Because I would have. And you should have.

I forgive you Mr. Peterson. I implore you, as one of the countless families who are struggling to put the pieces of their lives back in place, to those families that will never have their lives back in place. Please take accountability. Please ask for our prayers. We are all human, Mr. Peterson. I forgive you. BUT I WOULD HAVE GONE IN.

BY EMILY PRICE