A school shooter who served 20 years in prison has complained that he is being harassed online after sharing a TikTok about the aftermath of the shooting, showing the hallways where he terrorized his classmates.
Jon Romano, who goes by “Jon Seeking Peace” on TikTok, was 16 years old when he opened fire at Columbia High School in New York in 2004, injuring a teacher.
The 35-year-old was released in December 2020 and has since had 254,000 followers on TikTok, where he says he is committed to preventing violence. His bio states, “After being part of the problem, it’s time to be part of the solution.”
Earlier this month, Roman turned off his comments after posting a video showing the school’s hallways after the shooting “for educational purposes.” In the chilling clip, Romano recounts his actions as he walked through the school with the gun, leaving students traumatized.
“That’s the look I had down the hall as I came around the corner. “Two students came around the other corner and I shot away from them and hit the top of the wall and you’ll see where it hit the ceiling,” Romano says in the clip.
Jon Romano, who goes by “Jon Seeking Peace” on TikTok, was 16 years old when he opened fire at Columbia High School in New York in 2004, injuring a teacher
The 35-year-old was released in December 2020 and has since amassed 254,000 followers on TikTok. Pictured: 16-year-old Romano is led away in handcuffs after the shooting at Columbia High School in East Greenbush, New York, February 4, 2004
“My intention was not to kill, but to die in front of other people, and I knew I would traumatize them, which is what I did.” “I wanted to share my pain with others and I regret it more than anything, but “I want people to know what happened that day,” he added.
“I just wanted to see people and let them see me. ‘I can’t justify what I did, but my intention was not to kill.’
Romano went on to say that he saved the lives of several frightened students who crossed his path during the shooting, noting that he only fired the gun at walls and the ceiling.
However, many have objected to Romano’s use of social media and expressed outrage over his content, particularly the school hallway video taken immediately after the shooting.
“My comments section was shut down because anyone who gave me even a little support was harassed and even threatened, and that includes some of my former classmates who were there the day of the shooting and now support what I’m trying to do today.” prevent future shootings… So, no, we won’t do that.”
Before he turned off his comments, social media users criticized Romano for his videos.
In the chilling clip, Romano recounts his actions as he walked through the school with the gun, leaving students traumatized
A TikTok user named youcancallmekait said: “This man should not have a platform.” They said that every time there is a mass event, your victims are re-traumatized. Don’t you think just seeing you is the trigger? I don’t believe for a second that you actually want to help. You just want attention.’
Another added: He is not a healed person. He is not reformed. He is not rehabilitated. So stop giving him a platform. Stop coming to his aid.’
A third user asked, “Why is there an approved school shooter here?”
To which Romani replied, “Well, because I want to help prevent future school shootings.”
Romano was stopped by Principal John Sawchuk, who attempted to take the gun away from him. During the fight, the gun went off, injuring a teacher who was nearby.
In 2018, after the Parkland High School shooting, Romano penned a letter from prison praising Florida students for their “courage and inspiration” while calling on politicians to address gun violence.
He wrote the letter in response to journalist Chris Churchill’s February 21 column, which featured an interview with hero and Columbia director Sawchuk.
Romano was stopped by principal John Sawchuk (pictured), who tried to take the gun away from him
Romano wrote that Sawchuk “is a hero to whom I owe my life.”
“I know that every time another horrific shooting occurs, he and all of my victims will be hurt again by what I did to them,” he admitted.
“I want to take away their pain, but since I know I can’t, I want to prevent others from experiencing that pain.”
Romano wrote that he planned to advocate for gun safety and mental health reform after my release.
“I also believe that the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, are courageous and inspiring when it comes to speaking out and demanding action from politicians.”
Romano then called on the nation to demand “life-saving policy changes from their representatives.”
“Only then could this generation be the last generation to live in a country plagued by gun violence,” he concluded in the letter.
Romano then called on the nation to demand “life-saving policy changes from their representatives.”
“Only then could this generation be the last generation to live in a country plagued by gun violence,” he concluded in the letter.