Anthony Rizzo, the first baseman of the baseball team Chicago Cubs left hiked to his place in Parkland, Fla., on Thursday to offer his support in the vigil of the deadly shooting at his former high school on 14th February. The player left his spring training and marched out to stand for the victims of the shootout at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Rizzo, 28 delivered a heart-touching speech at the candlelight vigil. In his speech, he promised to offer his support to the students of the school. The player further said that they together should be there for each other and that they have to cope with their pain and eliminate each other’s pain. He encouraged the victims saying that they have to be the best possible version of themselves.
Choking back his tears and recalling his school days Rizzo said that he went to the same school and grew up studying and playing in the same classroom and on the same fields that were seen in the 14th February videos for all the wrong reasons. Rizo said that people get horrified that the kids are affected by the violence. They get angry that they could do nothing and then they ultimately get immune and move on to something else. The baseman further added that though there is no answer to this violence, something needs to be done before this spreads into other communities.
Shortly prior to the dismissal of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Wednesday afternoon, the inmates witnessed an open gunfire into hallways and classrooms. Around 17 teenagers and adults were killed and about 15 were injured. A previously expelled student of the school, Nikolas Cruz has been arrested on the charge of cold-blooded murder.
