A Northern Illinois University student prays for the victims of the Feb. 14 tragedy at the Dekalb University. About 30 people participated in an ecumenical prayer service held Feb. 15 at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church.

ROMEOVILLE—Dozens of students and faculty members of Northern Illinois University returned to campus in the afternoon Feb. 21 and observed five minutes of silence for each of the victims of the Feb. 14 shooting tragedy in DeKalb.

About an hour before the quiet demonstration, a senior at NIU who was among the other students in the geography class when former student Steven Kazmierczak went a shooting rampage, talked with the Catholic Explorer about the horrific experience during a telephone interview.

While Amanda Benoit of Kankakee opted not to attend the service the week after the tragedy, she revealed she had already returned to campus a few days prior to visit with friends and pray for those affected by the tragedy.

The student majoring in psychology, who was injured during the gunfire, said her wounds were minimal compared to others. Benoit was hit in her right ring finger with a shotgun shell pellet. The injury she sustained required a single stitch, she said.

“It just seemed so unreal,” said Benoit as she reflected on the experience. As the gunman entered the classroom and began firing shots, she admitted she thought it was part of some kind of emergency drill or experiment staged by the psychology department. It only took a few seconds for her to realize that it was real, she said. “It just doesn’t make sense to me,” she added, speaking about a person taking aim at unarmed people and devastating lives for no apparent reason.

Since Valentine’s Day, Benoit said she has been receiving e-mails from friends and family members interested in her wellbeing. “I’ve had a lot of support.”

Her boyfriend and fellow NIU student, Steven Dawson, accompanied her to the campus after the shooting at the university’s Cole Hall. “He’s been really supportive,” she said. The two have been praying for the strength to continue their education at NIU, she added.

Benoit, a life-long Catholic, was a member of Kankakee’s St. Teresa Parish before her parents began worshipping at Maternity of the Blessed Mary Parish in Bourbonnais. Speaking about the tragedy, the faithful young woman stressed, “It’s just too big for anyone to handle. You really need to lean on the Lord to take care of your burden.”

When it comes to enhancing gun control laws at the state and federal levels, Benoit said she is unsure how heightening policies will eliminate the problems. “I’d like to see the laws tighter,” she said. However, the student mentioned she doesn’t see how new or improved laws will be able to prevent all of the fatalities. “There are just so many issues,” she said.

While the students and families are in the process of mourning and rebuilding lives, the issue of curbing school shootings and other violence associated with handguns and semi-automatic weapons is being discussed by legislators across the country.

Days after the NIU shootings, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley made public statements about plans to tighten gun control measures in Illinois.

HB4393, which would prohibit the multiple sales of handguns within a 30-day period, is among legislation being brought to the table by Illinois lawmakers. Other gun control bills in the pre-committee stages include proposals aimed at strengthening background checks for possible buyers and banning assault weapons, said Thom Mannard, the executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.

Shootings aren’t just occurring in metropolitan areas, stressed Mannard, speaking about violence in suburban areas, including Tinley Park, and school campuses, including NIU. “This is an issue that can hit anywhere,” he told the Explorer. Speaking about the most recent tragedy, he said, “Six individuals lost their lives.” The member of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Evanston stressed, “The question is no longer will there be another tragedy like Northern Illinois or Virginia Tech, but instead where will it happen next.”

Statements on the National Rifle Association’s Web site criticize lobbyists and lawmakers for encouraging new gun control measures mere days following the tragedy at NIU. In addition, the NRA asserts none of the proposed bills would have applied to the situation in DeKalb.

“We haven’t taken a position,” said Bob Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the public policy arm of the Catholic bishops in the state.

While CCI is headquartered in Chicago, the lobbyists of the agency maintain a presence in Springfield during legislative sessions to remain abreast of matters pertaining to the teachings of the church. They advocate for pieces of legislation that align with Catholic principles and against those that conflict with church teachings.

“There’s no moral guide we have when it comes to this thing,” Gilligan said, speaking about gun control measures. There is obvious concern for victims of violent crimes among Catholic leaders, he said. However, the issue of gun control has yet to be clearly defined in Catholic social teaching, he added.

In the meantime, classes resumed Feb. 25 at NIU.