There isn’t a cloud in the sky on this perfect day while I’m chomping away on some chips and salsa courtesy of Los Tules, my friend Maya Tule’s family restaurant. I’m starving due to this morning’s activities of walking and shoving my way through Grand Boulevard to see our Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. The conversation has come to a standstill when one of my friends picks up a call from his mom. “What?” he said. “Oh my God. Yeah, I’m okay.” He hangs up the phone. “There’s been a shooting down at the parade,” he said. My friends and I all gasp, chatter and pose questions about the details. Suddenly, we can all hear the sirens much louder.

On February 14, during the Super Bowl parade 22 people were shot, 11 of them children and one adult was killed. Two adults and two juveniles have been arrested regarding the shooting and face charges of second degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. According to police reports, one of the adults was in a verbal argument when it escalated as he pulled out a handgun.

As I’ve had time to reflect upon these events, I have come to the conclusion that it is no longer acceptable for me to assume “this would never happen to me.” For as long as I can remember, after a mass shooting has occurred I have shrugged my shoulders, commented something resembling remorse and moved on partly because I feel like I lack knowledge in the latest political decisions regarding gun safety, and partly because it would be too heavy to bear every shooting on the news with me. But this day I did not shrug my shoulders and say, “This is terrible.”

After hearing the news, my friends and I retreated to Tule’s house, only a short drive had so anxiously called us about. As friends and family flooded my phone, I panicked when I hear the reporter mention a 15-year-old girl was hurt. What if she went to STA? What if one of my friends was hurt?

How many times will I say “this would never happen to me” until I’m at the wrong place at the wrong time? How many times will I roll my eyes at my mom telling me to be safe until I’m the one people watch on the news? This recent local shooting showed me that this is not something I just hear about on the 5 o’clock news from Lester Holt or David Muir. I am begging leaders of our country to enforce and increase gun control before more lives are lost. While gun control policies tend to be complicated and fueled by politics and money, it’s still the job of politicians to look after the children of this nation. Since this job has yet to be done, it’s increasingly important that we make our voices heard and don’t take no for answer. How many more lives will be lost until change is made?

This story contains information from ABC News and The Kansas City Star.