When a classmate shot Hollan Holm in the head, he handled it with dark humor. But when, more than 20 years later, his daughter described an active shooter drill at her school, Holm couldn’t find it funny anymore. 

It stays with you

From the Accused podcast team, Aftermath is an episodic look at survivors of gun violence. Two crime reporters travel the country talking to people whose lives changed in the blink of an eye. Their backgrounds, environments and stories all vary, but they share one defining truth: They’ve survived a gunshot.

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Five bullets, including one to the spine, left Will Thomas paralyzed. More than 10 years later, Will is finally taking some control of his life and looking to create a better future.

If you’re a fool at 40

After attending the funeral of a friend, Ra’Shauna Brown was chatting with other mourners when a gunman opened fire, killing three. Police said the shooting was part of a nine-day rampage that began over a stolen bracelet. 

It’s like two lives lost

 At 23 years old, Layla Bush was excited to work her first full-time job after college. Then a politically motivated gunman opened fire at her work, killing one. She remembers that the shooter looked her in the eye, acknowledging what he was doing just before he pulled the trigger.

I was the gatekeeper

 Javier Arango can’t remember a time when his life wasn’t immersed in violence. Born in conflict-ravaged Colombia, he moved to Oakland for refuge — only to be paralyzed by a bullet.

It stays with you

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