Eileen Granata's brother Kevin was one of 32 people killed in the Virginia Tech mass shooting in 2007. While the tragedy in Connecticut has been extremely difficult for all of us to watch, not many of us can relate to it the way the Granata family does.
Kevin was a world renowned scientist and bio-medics professor at Virginia Tech. He was in his office when the chaos began. A group of students came to tell him about the shootings and he locked all of them in his office. He then went to see what was happening and if he could help.
Eileen and her family were hoping tougher gun laws would be put in place after the tragedy and she hopes no one else has to die in a senseless attack before changes are made. She does not want a ban on guns, but she would like to see stricter regulations on semi-automatics and large quantities of ammunition. She realizes it will not solve everything, but says if changes can save lives it is well worth it, no matter how difficult.
She said the senselessness of the shootings will never go away and that is something the Connecticut families will have to live with. She says her heart bleeds for the families, knowing what they will be faced with in the coming days, months and years.
Kevin left behind a wife and 3 young children. His oldest son is a freshman at Virginia Tech and he lit the candle in honor of his father at a vigil in honor of the victims this year.
Thursday, January 3 2013 2:54 PM EST2013-01-03 19:54:23 GMT
MONROE, Conn. (AP) - The youngsters who survived the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary returned to class Thursday for the first time since the shooting rampage, settling in at their old, familiar desks
The youngsters who survived the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary returned to class Thursday for the first time since the shooting rampage, settling in at their old, familiar desks but in a different school in a different town.
Tuesday, January 1 2013 12:38 PM EST2013-01-01 17:38:17 GMT
NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) - Since escaping a gunman's rampage at their elementary school, the 8-year-old Connors triplets have suffered nightmares, jumped at noises and clung to their parents a little more
Classes for Sandy Hook Elementary students start Thursday at a repurposed school in the neighboring town of Monroe.
Saturday, December 29 2012 5:23 PM EST2012-12-29 22:23:48 GMT
By BRIDGET MURPHYAssociated Press A lawyer who's asking to sue Connecticut for $100 million on behalf of a 6-year-old Newtown school shooting survivor who heard violence over the school's intercom system
A lawyer is asking to sue Connecticut for $100 million on behalf of a 6-year-old Newtown school shooting survivor who heard violence over the school's intercom system.
Saturday, December 29 2012 2:59 PM EST2012-12-29 19:59:47 GMT
NEW YORK (AP) - A woman charged with trying to swindle donors by posing as a relative of a child killed in the Connecticut school massacre had also been soliciting money for Hurricane Sandy relief. Nouel
A woman charged with trying to swindle donors by posing as a relative of a child killed in the Connecticut school massacre had also been soliciting money for Hurricane Sandy relief.
Friday, December 28 2012 7:32 AM EST2012-12-28 12:32:13 GMT
The Danbury Township Board of Trustees has established a memorial fund at the Marblehead Bank to provide for the purchase and planting of 26 trees and a dedication sign in Newtown, Connecticut.Trustee
The Danbury Township Board of Trustees has established a memorial fund at the Marblehead Bank to provide for the purchase and planting of 26 trees and a dedication sign in Newtown, Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:34:48 GMT
13abc and the Red Cross are teaming up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters. Volunteers will be at the station
13abc and Red Cross teamed up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank Thursday to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:03:13 GMT
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:02:06 GMT
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. Valarie Williams tells 13 ABC's Christine Long that it is nothing short of
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. As a man stood over her pointing a shotgun to her face, Valerie Williams says, "It was like an angel came because the cops pulled up."
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:25:21 GMT
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project located at 1326 Collingwood Boulevard.
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project. Go to 13abc.com for details.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:03:13 GMT
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:34:48 GMT
13abc and the Red Cross are teaming up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters. Volunteers will be at the station
13abc and Red Cross teamed up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank Thursday to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:10:04 GMT
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water. Trooper Mark Francis
The Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water, the Washington State Patrol said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:57:54 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board. The panel's approval Thursday sends the issue into its
A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:40:05 GMT
PHOENIX (AP) - The jury in Jodi Arias' trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a unanimous decision on whether the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend should be sentenced
The jury in Jodi Arias' trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a unanimous decision on whether the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend should be sentenced to life or death in a case that has captured headlines worldwide with its sex, lies, violence.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:38 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:38:38 GMT
(ABC News) -- The Boy Scouts of America today voted to lift its longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts but will continue to exclude openly gay adults from leadership roles. The vote
The Boy Scouts of America today voted to lift its longtime national ban on admitting openly gay Scouts but will continue to exclude openly gay adults from leadership roles.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:02:06 GMT
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. Valarie Williams tells 13 ABC's Christine Long that it is nothing short of
The 27-year-old woman who was on the ground staring into the barrel of a shotgun says Toledo police officers saved her life. As a man stood over her pointing a shotgun to her face, Valerie Williams says, "It was like an angel came because the cops pulled up."
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:22:19 GMT
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high
Some families in Maumee were surprised to open their utility bills and find some were ten times the normal amount. Many come from the Wrenworth subdivision and say they've been getting these very high bills recently and now they're asking why. At least one family did not get an actual meter reading in several months.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:25:21 GMT
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project located at 1326 Collingwood Boulevard.
Planning is underway for the First Annual African American Male Wellness Walk in Toledo. The walk will be held August 3, 2013 at the African American Legacy Project. Go to 13abc.com for details.
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