Three Florida State University students were shot today inside the school's Strozier Library, but it's the testimony of one Christian student's brush with death that has many praising God's grace.
Jason Derfuss posted on his Facebook page earlier this morning that he was almost one of the college campus shooter's victims, but God had other plans.
"Earlier tonight there was a shooting at FSU, right as I was leaving Strozier, Derfuss said in a Facebook post. "I didn't know this at the time, but the Shooter targeted me first. The shot I heard behind me I did not feel, nor did it hit me at all. He was about 5 feet from me, but he hit my books. Books one minute earlier I had checked out of the library, books that should not have stopped the bullet. But they did. I learned this about 3 hours after it happened, I never thought to check my bag. I assumed I wasn't a target, I assumed I was fine."
Derfuss posted eleven images of the books showing off the damage from the bullet that nearly injured or even killed him. "The truth is I was almost killed tonight and God intervened. I know conceptually He can do all things, but to physically witness the impossible and to be surrounded by such grace is indescribable. To God be the glory, forever and ever, Amen."
The post has enjoyed overwhelming support and positive mainstream coverage throughout the morning. "Great Medieval Thinkers stopped a bullet.... I'm getting a copy!" joked a friend on Facebook. "Love you man... so glad you are safe... God is Kind!"
The shooting happened early this Thursday morning at around 12:25 a.m. eastern time. Shooter Myron May walked into the student library and began opening fire, according to witnesses. Although three people were injured from the gunfire, the only casualty was May himself, who was shot by Tallahassee police.
The campus was put on lock-down and students everywhere began praying for safety. "Students are praying, hugging, crying together. Trying to make sense of it all," one student said on Twitter while posting a picture of students gathering together outside.
"The FSUPD & TPD saved a ton of lives last night. Praying for the victims," another student tweeted. Prayer was such a main focus point during and after the shooting that a hashtag was created, #PrayforFSU. You can currently search for that hashtag on Twitter to see all prayer-related tweets from students, faculty, friends, and supporters.
Myron May was a former student at Florida State University, going on to Texas Tech University to finish law school. Not much more is know about the shooter or his motives, but friend David Taunton decribed May as a good kid. Taunton mentioned to Fox News that May was staying at his guest house while he was back in town from Texas this week. After dinner with his grandmother on Friday night, May disappeared, prompting Taunton to check in on him. "I'm so sorry," May responded, referring to the fact that he didn't check in. "I'm all right."
Taunton revealed that May mentioned something that "raised worry," but wouldn't explain further.
One of the shooting victims is in critical condition while another is in stable condition. The third was treated and released at the scene. Police assured area residents and students that this was an isolated incident and all threat had been resolved.
