Larry Gehant, uncle of shooting victim Julianna Gehant, hugs Harold Ng, an NIU graduate and 2008 shooting survivor, during a remembrance ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at the memorial outside Cole Hall at Northern Illinois University for the victims of the mass shooting in 2008. Tuesday marked the 15th year since the deadly shooting that killed five students and injured dozens more. (Mark Busch – mbusch@shawmedia.com)
NIU community, victims’ families seek healing and reflection 15 years after 2008 mass shooting: ‘It’s always with us’
NIU’s “Forward, Together Forward: Moment of Reflection” marks grim milestone: 15 years since 5 students were killed in a mass shooting
DeKALB – Laurel Dubowski, whose 20-year-old daughter Gayle Dubowski was killed in a 2008 mass shooting on Northern Illinois University’s campus, said Tuesday she felt determined to return to DeKalb for an annual memorial despite how difficult memories of the day remain 15 years later.
University and DeKalb-area community members joined family and friends of the five students killed in Feb. 14, 2008, mass shooting Tuesday to pay their respects, honor the lives lost and move forward together.
Kevin Stromberg is a 2008 graduate of Northern Illinois University and a survivor of the Feb. 14, 2008, shooting in Cole Hall. He now works for Counseling Works as a clinical counseling director. (Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com)
Survivors, first responders reflect on tragedy that left 5 dead, dozens others injured, and how DeKalb has evolved since
Survivors, first responders reflect on tragedy that left 5 dead, dozens others injured, and how DeKalb has evolved since
DeKALB – It’s been 15 years since a lone gunman stepped into a Northern Illinois University lecture hall and fatally shot five students, wounding dozens of others and leaving a mark some say won’t ever go away.
The lasting impact of the tragedy – a Feb. 14, 2008, school shooting that has become part of a long and grim legacy as mass gun violence in schools grows – has woven into the careers, lives and memories of those who survived it.
Shaw Local 2008 file photo – Northern Illinois University President John Peters addresses the media on the evening of Feb. 14, 2008 during the first of two news conferences regarding the campus shooting that occurred hours prior and left five students dead and dozens more injured.
Former NIU president John Peters says Huskie spirit endures 15 years after 2008 mass shooting
Current NIU President Lisa Freeman: ‘Legacy of pain gave way to legacy of community bonding’
DeKALB – John Peters said he made a pact with himself 15 years ago not to write about the events of Feb. 14, 2008, when a former Northern Illinois University graduate student shot almost 50 rounds into a campus lecture hall, killing five students and injuring dozens more.
Peters was 63 and president of NIU at the time, almost a decade into his time as head of school when he was thrust into the national spotlight as the voice of the campus in the days following the shooting.
Shaw Local 2008 file photo – Tactical police forces rush to the scene of a shooting on the DeKalb campus of Northern Illinois University on Feb. 14, 2008.
Survivors, witnesses of 2008 NIU mass shooting react to Illinois gun ban
DeKALB – It’s been 15 years since a lone gunman stepped into a Northern Illinois University lecture hall and fatally shot five students, wounding dozens others, and as Illinois’ gun laws evolve, those who lived through the tragedy offer their thoughts on new legislation.
The lasting impact of the Feb. 14, 2008, school shooting has become part of a long and grim legacy as mass gun violence in the country grows, targeting among others elementary schools, universities, movie theaters, grocery stores, worship places and parades.
