As I’m watching the pieces of this horror story being patched together on CNN, I am in utter disbelief.

The shooting at LA Fitness happened in Collier Township, a town just a short drive from downtown Pittsburgh.

I was first alerted to the news via my friend Christina’s facebook status. She is a member at LA Fitness, and by some twist of fate decided to not go tonight. Thank God she is alright. Unfortunately, many others are not.


Then the twitter updates started coming in. And the text messages.  And more facebook status updates.


According to KDKA at least five people are dead in addition to the gunman and more injured. It’s also being speculated that this was the result of the gunman being dumped/rejected by a woman in the class by local news stations.

I’m utterly stunned and shaken by this news. Collier township is just mere minutes away from where I grew up. Plenty of my friends live in the area. My wedding reception is being held just a mile or so down the road. This isn’t an inner-city neighborhood. It’s not even a “bad” neighborhood.

What troubles me most is I just got done telling my coworker today how leaving Chicago to move home seemed more appealing every day, based on the rising crime rates in the city. But the harsh reality is senseless crime is everywhere. There’s really no escaping it. Thinking you’re immune to crime because you live in the “right” neighborhood is just naïve.


I’m not trying to push religion or beliefs on anyone here, but please keep the victims’ families in your thoughts and prayers. Especially my friend’s cousin, who was injured in the shooting. I know I will be.