SPONSORED BY:

‘This Can’t Be Real’

 

Email To A Friend

Please fill in the following information and we'll email this link.

Separate multiple addresses with commas

SPONSORED BY
 

Jeff Merkel
I was cutting through the Law School Building to get to my 3:30 "Democracy in Developing Nations" class. I had to get there early to pick up some notes from a professor for an independent study class.

As soon as I stepped outside there was a crowd of students running from Cole [Hall]. I took my iPod out and heard them scream, "Shooter, shooter, shooter!" 

I said OK and turned around and went inside the law building went into the first classroom, right inside the door and said, "I'm sorry to interrupt, and I don't know whether this is real or not, but I am hearing a lot of people saying, 'Shooter.' Turn off your lights and get into the corner." I told them, "I have to work for the paper and I have to go."

I left the building and took off. My wife said that I called her. I don't remember calling her but I told her, "There's been a shooting, I'm OK, but I'm going to cover it."

I started running into other student journalists. I started talking to police because I feel I am better suited to talk to police because I have worked with a lot of guys who have become police so I feel cocky.

I saw police tending to a guy with a head wound and I started looking around, talking to anybody that I could. As I was talking to one of the guys inside the hall, I was walking him over to the police officers and [told them], "This guy was trampled on the way out, but it doesn't look like [he's] hurt beyond a lump in my head," but he was in shock.

Label

Newsweek Top Stories
Visions of a Decade
Visions of a Decade

From 2000-2009, one photo per month.

The Failure of Copenhagen
The Failure of Copenhagen

Why there could be a silver lining in a failed climate treaty.

Sex Scandals of the 2000s
Sex Scandals of the 2000s

From John Edwards to Mark Sanford, the decade's memorable affairs.

118 Days in Hell
118 Days in Hell

A NEWSWEEK journalist recounts his captivity in Iran.

Discuss

Sponsored by

Member Comments

  • Posted By: Collie1228 @ 02/22/2008 8:02:39 AM

    American heroes seem to show up when you need them. We should all be proud of Jeff, as he represents thousands of former servicement around us who help when needed. I'm personally proud of you Jeff and hope you recover well from this horrific event.

  • Posted By: fmfdoc30 @ 02/22/2008 6:56:57 AM

    Jeff,
    Another 2/8 Corpsman makes a national magazine. Awesome job man. I haven't seen you in a few years but if you get the chance drop me a line. fmfdoc30@yahoo.com
    Marc Fernandes

  • Posted By: fmfdoc30 @ 02/22/2008 6:55:34 AM

    Jeff!
    Good Job Man. I haven't seen you since we got back from Afghanistan. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw your picture online. Drop me a line if you read this. fmfdoc30@yahoo.com

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse

My Take

Customize the NEWSWEEK homepage
to feature your favorite columnists.

Customize Now