Father of Parkland Victim Jaime Guttenberg Greets Students as They Return to School
"Take Jaime into the school with you today," Fred Guttenberg told students.
The father of Parkland victim Jaime Guttenberg was waiting to greet students as they returned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the first time since the shooting.
"Take Jaime into the school with you today," Fred Guttenberg told her classmates.
His 14-year-old daughter was among 17 people killed two weeks ago when a gunman entered the school with an AR-15.
"It's bittersweet — I'm sending my son back," Guttenberg said. "As I'm talking, I'm watching his friends going back. My daughter is not going back. That is not something that is easy to wake up to."
On Wednesday, students returned to classes for the first time since the killing spree. Each student was given a carnation as they arrived to a large police presence. Comfort dogs were also on hand to help students, as were grief counselors.
"I'm nervous, but also excited to see everyone again, I guess," one student said outside the school.
The school had a 95 percent attendance rate Wednesday, but 10 students and five teachers said they would not be returning.
Among them is Samantha Fuentes, a student who was shot three times. She said she will complete her studies online.
Special education teacher Kevin Siegelbaum also stayed home. He became emotional as he explained why.
"We're expected to go back after two weeks?" he said through tears. "I don't know. I'm trying to hold it together right now, but I don't know. How do you expect to go back to any sense of normalcy? There is none."
David Hogg, a student journalist who has been one of the faces of the teenagers' "Never Again" movement, said they just had to "make it through school."
"That's what America has to do and that's what we have to do," he said.
RELATED STORIES
Trending on Inside Edition
Bernie Madoff, Fraudster Convicted of Largest-Ever Ponzi Scheme, Dies in Prison at 82
NewsThe Killing of Daunte Wright: Officer Kim Potter Will Be Charged in Fatal Shooting of Minneapolis 20-Year-Old
NewsUndercover Black Cop Beaten 'Like Rodney King' Shines Light on St. Louis Police Force Long Accused of Racism
NewsSteven Avery's Attorney Says New Witness Saw His Nephew "Suspiciously Pushing" Car of Teresa Halbach
Crime‘Bachelor’ Colton Underwood Comes Out as Gay in ‘Good Morning America’ Interview
EntertainmentLizzie Borden House’s New Owner Says He Heard Footsteps in Famous Haunted Home
OffbeatMom Arrested After Police Chase for Stabbing 3 Kids to Death Following Alleged Custody Dispute, Officials Say
CrimeTikTok Helps Find Owners of Long Lost GoPro That Captured Couple's Sweet Vacation Memories
Inspirational