Reflecting On The Sites Of Mass Shootings: Memory, Mourning, And Memorials

What should be done with the sites of mass shootings? This question weighs heavily on the hearts of many as they grapple with the aftermath of violence and loss. Each location where a tragedy occurred holds a painful history, and the choices made about these sites can evoke a range of emotions for victims' families, survivors, and the community at large. For some grieving families, tearing down a building and replacing it with a memorial feels right. In contrast, others prefer no special marker, wishing to let the past remain undisturbed.

MGM Resorts announced that it will not rent out room No. 32135 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, where Stephen Paddock committed a horrific act that left 58 people dead and injured more than 500. The company has not disclosed what will happen to the suite, leaving many to ponder the appropriate response to such a painful legacy.

Across the nation, various sites have been transformed in different ways after similar tragedies. Each decision reflects the community's desire to remember those lost while also considering the impact on future visitors and residents. Here’s a look at what has been done at some of these significant sites.

Pulse Nightclub, Orlando, Fla.

In May 2017, the owner of the Pulse nightclub, a safe haven for the LGBTQ community, announced plans to convert the shuttered venue into a memorial. Following the tragic shooting by Omar Mateen, which resulted in the deaths of 49 people on June 12, 2016, Barbara Poma expressed her hopes that the memorial would include a museum serving as a space for survivors to grieve and for the community to honor the victims.

McDonald’s, San Ysidro, Calif.

After the 1984 shooting that claimed 21 lives, the fast-food corporation demolished the restaurant just two months later. The site was donated to the city of San Diego, which has since established a memorial to commemorate the victims. On the anniversary of this tragic event, family members and friends continue to honor the memory of those lost by adorning the site with flowers.

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Years passed before university administrators decided the fate of the buildings where 32 people were killed in a shooting rampage on April 16, 2007. Norris Hall, the site of the majority of the deaths, underwent extensive renovations costing $800,000 and was reopened in 2009. Concerned faculty chose to transform the building into a study space devoid of any visible reminders of its tragic past.

Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Conn.

In 2013, school officials opted to demolish the building where Adam Lanza killed 20 children and six staff members on December 14, 2012. Following much debate, it was decided that a new school would be constructed on the same site, with the first phase completed in 2016. The new facility incorporates safety features and aims to provide a calm and welcoming environment for students.

Columbine High School, Littleton, Colo.

After the tragic events of April 20, 1999, where 13 people were killed, extensive renovations took place at Columbine High School. The school underwent a complete transformation, with the library—a primary site of the shooting—being replaced with a new atrium designed to promote healing and hope. In 2000, a new library named HOPE Columbine Memorial Library was dedicated to the victims.

Century 16 Movie Theater, Aurora, Colo.

Following the 2012 shooting that took 12 lives, the Century 16 theater was renovated, and the auditorium where the shooting occurred was redesigned. The theater, now renamed Century Aurora 16, reopened to the public a week after a commemorative event honoring the victims and first responders. This decision was met with mixed reactions from the community, with many advocating for the theater's closure.

As we reflect on these sites of tragedy, it is clear that the path forward is complex and deeply personal. Each decision made regarding the future of these locations is shaped by the narratives of loss, resilience, and hope intertwined within them.