Friday's deadly shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, brought back horrific memories for victims of other mass shootings. Kristina Anderson was shot twice in the back during the 2007 shooting rampage at Virginia Tech that left 32 people dead.
I thought after Virginia Tech, it wouldn't happen again just because it was so large. This one's getting to that and it's only been five years, said Anderson.
The 2007 massacre is the worst mass shooting to occur on U.S. soil thus far. Since then, half of the nation s deadliest shootings have taken place.
When I see something like this, I'm not surprised because it's becoming a pattern of society, said Seattle family counselor, Dr. Dan Singer.
Singer said while there's no single explanation as to why this keeps happening, increased access to a number of resources might be to blame.
Access to things on the Internet, guns, the access to violence on TV. If someone is going to commit a violent act, they're going to commit a violent act, said Singer.
Singer said most of these mass shooters target people they perceive as vulnerable, like children and women. But rather than focus on the perpetrator, Singer said it's more important work on prevention by doing things like increasing security where ever possible.
If one of these guys knows there's a metal detector or extra security in place, that'll make them think twice, he said.
Both Singer and Anderson said the unfortunate reality is this won't be the last time something like this happens. That doesn't mean they won't try to do what they can to stop these tragedies.
Two years after the Virginia Tech shooting, Anderson created the Koshka Foundation. The organization is made up of survivors working to raise awareness and increase security around school campuses.
For more information, go to the Koshka Foundation website.
