Mia Tretta, a 21-year-old junior at Brown University, was on campus during a recent shooting at the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building. Remarkably, Tretta is a survivor of the 2019 Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita, where she was shot in the abdomen. On Saturday, she was studying in her dorm when she learned of the attack at Brown. “People always think, well, it’ll never be me,” Tretta said, reflecting on her experiences.
In 2019, Tretta was a freshman when a classmate opened fire at Saugus High School, killing two students and injuring three others, including Tretta. The shooter used a ghost gun, a firearm assembled from a kit without a serial number. Despite her injuries, Tretta has become a dedicated advocate for gun violence prevention. She has spoken at events, including the White House, and worked with organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety.
Tretta has also been active at Brown, leading the university’s chapter of Students Demand Action, which focuses on gun safety advocacy. Her commitment to this cause was evident when she helped organize the ATF’s inaugural Gun Violence Survivor’s Summit in 2024.
Tretta’s advocacy began shortly after the Saugus shooting, when she raised $8,000 through a lemonade stand for a memorial for her friends who died in the attack. Her journey of healing has been supported by her family and the medical team at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, where she was treated after the shooting.
Tretta’s story is one of resilience and determination. She continues to use her experiences to inspire change and raise awareness about gun violence. Her efforts have taken her to the halls of Congress and the Democratic National Convention, where she urges leaders to prioritize gun safety.
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