Moving On

 Remember your high school graduation? Do you remember the funny signs? Do you remember the guest speaker? Do you remember the streakers?

Do you remember the gunshots?

Congratulations if that last one didn't make your scrapbook. Graduates of the Class of 2024 from Skyline High School in Oakland will not be able to separate random acts of violence from their commencement. Last Thursday night, as the proceedings were wrapping up, shots rang out and the assembled crowd was suddenly forced into active shooter mode. A sign that had been hung near the assembly read, "We Have Amazing Educators." All those drills paid off, I suppose. 

The traditional recession from graduation ceremonies tends to be a little less solemn than the procession. It is not, however, composed of students, faculty and families running for their lives. 

So now the good news: A man and woman were found near the site of the ceremony, suffering from gunshot wounds. Both are expected to survive. Two suspects were in custody by early Friday morning. The shooting was apparently connected to a dispute unrelated to the events of the day, but will always be attached to the memories of those in attendance. 

We all know the bad news: Yet another moment that should have been a celebration, filled with joy, suddenly became a life or death situation. The lack of fatalities will keep this from being a media event that will stretch past the holiday weekend. The scars left by those seconds when gunfire broke out will not go away as quickly. For those clicking past the story, it will be simply a matter of "Oakland? Figures." 

On to the next tragedy. 

Make room for more victims. 

Nothing to see here. 

Except for those who were there that night when they close their eyes. 

Congratulations to Skyline's Class of 2024. Congratulations on making it out alive.