Content warning: This story contains mentions of gun violence.
Phil Andrew, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, shared his experience as a mass-shooting survivor and answered students’ questions at an event hosted by the political science department Monday evening.
In 1988, Andrew, then a 20-year-old college student, experienced the aftermath of a nearby school shooting. Shooter Laurie Dann crashed her car into his home while escaping, then held Andrew and his parents hostage.
Andrew said while he was able to convince Dann to release his parents over a 90-minute negotiation, he was shot in an attempt to disarm her.
“The bullet ripped through my chest. I was hit on the right side of my chest, and the bullet was lodged in my left lat — so both of my lungs, my esophagus, my stomach. It grazed my heart,” he said. “I was severely, and nearly mortally, wounded by a single gun shot.”
Upon leaving the hospital, Andrew vowed to do everything he could to prevent gun violence.
After graduating from DePaul University College of Law, Andrew worked for the FBI for 21 years, where he served as a hostage negotiator. He later founded a global crisis and conflict mitigation firm called the PAX Group that designs crisis management, safety and conflict resolution strategies.
“I think what he’s really known for and what he’s here for today is to talk about the issue of gun violence and conflict resolution,” said political science department chair and Prof. William Reno while introducing Andrew.
Citing his work at the group, Andrew discussed the importance of listening to and building a rapport with others in order to find common ground. He said these skills are useful in almost every circumstance, especially when emotions run high.
Andrew also addressed the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement shootings in Minneapolis, criticizing the actions of federal agents who killed an American citizen Saturday.
“What I saw as I looked at it is a lot of unprofessionalism,” Andrew said. “I saw a lack of training. I saw the lack of responsibility.”
One method of ensuring safety Andrew proposed was fostering a sense of social pressure. For instance, when children visit their friends, parents can ask if there are any firearms in the house and how the weapons are stored, he said. Andrew explained such practices cultivate a broader sense of social responsibility.
He also emphasized the importance of building “connectivity” with those who carry firearms.
“Like it or not, the Supreme Court has interpreted the Second Amendment to give people a constitutional right to keep and bear firearms, but what then does that mean in the way that it contributes to public safety?” Andrew said.
When asked about healing from gun violence, Andrew reminded the audience that the impacts of post-traumatic stress disorder can surface six to eight after the inciting incident. Due to this long timeline, he added that it is important to pay attention to potential symptoms such as trouble sleeping and agitation.
However, Andrew also pointed to an alternative path forward for gun violence survivors.
“I got to say that people that recognize their unique experience actually gives them a gift, and using it to serve others might be the most healing approach that there’s available.”
For McCormick junior Seoyoon Kwon, Andrew’s reminder to find common ground between our differences resonated deeply.
“Mr. Andrew really made it clear that no matter how much you might disagree on gun violence and the methods to prevent it, one similarity all of us have is that we want to prevent it,” she said. “We don’t want people getting killed unnecessarily and unjustifiably.”
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