Scenes from NIU - 18+

18+ for possible sensitive material related to an act of violence. I hope no one is offended, because taking these photos was part of the healing process for me.

Hello again, everyone. I wanted to share some photos I took immediately after the shooting at Northern Illinois University, and some taken just this evening. I'm a senior here, and I was just a couple of buildings away when the shooting occurred.

In total, five innocent people and the gunman died that heart-wrenching day. It's something I'll never forget.

I freelance for the Chicago Tribune, so you may have seen a couple of these pictures in the paper or online. I even saw them on Good Morning America. In any other situation, I'd be proud as hell, but it all seems like an empty victory in light of the circumstances.

I hope you are all doing well, and even though I've never met any of you, I want you to know you mean a lot to me. God Bless.

http://img.photobucket​.com …l/NIU%20Shootin​g/niu1.jpg

http://img.photobucket​.com …l/NIU%20Shootin​g/niu2.jpg

http://img.photobucket​.com …l/NIU%20Shootin​g/niu3.jpg

http://img.photobucket​.com …/NIU%20Shooting​/niu10.jpg

http://img.photobucket​.com …/NIU%20Shooting​/niu13.jpg

http://img.photobucket​.com …/NIU%20Shooting​/niu12.jpg

http://img.photobucket​.com …/NIU%20Shooting​/niu11.jpg

It sucks to be in the position to capture events like this, but on the other hand it may help those involved. I think you posted tastefully, and with enough consideration to those involved. Thanks for sharing.

i'm sorry you had to go through any of that. You can def feel the emotion of the picture - which makes a great one

Very good work, watch your lighting. I am sorry for the great trajedy that has hit your campus I live in VA 2 hours from VT so I know what you are going through.
May God be with you..

Brian

its unbelievable some times. These shots are excellent, and display the sadness of what happen. I have a friend that attends that school, he contacted us very shortly after it happen to let everyone know he was alright.

And when the VA shooting happen, i also had a friend that went there but we didnt hear from him till the next day. It was quite the scary wait.

God bless everyone including the families of the lost ones.

RIP.

I am at a loss for words... I can't imagine being there let alone being directly involved with the situation. I just don't understand people sometimes.. My prayers are with everyone that was effected but this tragedy..

You did a nice job capturing what happened that day..

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. It's a weird feeling covering something like this, because I have these conflicted feelings about a situation hitting so close to home; on one hand, I felt somber and sad, but on the other hand, I felt very focused and driven.

Hopefully, I'll never have to cover something else so close to home.

Stay safe out there, everybody, and hug your families extra tight.

I found the last 4 very moving. Scary it keeps happening.

Its is just so insane. You caught some very moving scenes....

Scary world these days... great job... #10 and 12 especially

wow...wonderful shots that capture the somber mood...Must have been tough to take those shots with people suffering and mourning all around.

Good news for me! As a result of these shots, the Tribune may be offering me a job. They want to see my portfolio, so I'm pretty excited!

Sonic Infidel wrote in post #5036219
Good news for me! As a result of these shots, the Tribune may be offering me a job. They want to see my portfolio, so I'm pretty excited!

I think your exuberance in this thread in getting interviewed by the Chicago Tribune as a result of the photographs you posted here is a tad distasteful and may have been better said in a separate posting.

Northern Illinois University
Class of 1984
Forward, Together Forward
Go Huskies !

Thank you for sharing these. They are very moving.
As for the possibility of the job...Congrats and good luck! You have every right to be excited.

some will never know the kind of pain a tragedy of this nature will bring to those it touches most. my son has a friend who was there in the class at the shooting, and he is right now not the same person. but we all must remember that in every tragedy in life, God can bring good and opportunity from the situation. Good luck in the opportunity you have been given through this tragedy, and always remember to use whatever position you receive from this in a responsible manner, and remember to give thanks to Him who allowed this opportunity from tragedy for you.