Dispatcher Fielding 911 Calls During MSU Mass Shooting: Remember Victims’ Names
The 911 operator who was on duty Monday night (2/13) as a gunman stormed the MSU campus has a message: Remember the victims' names.
Aimee Barajas is being praised for her calm demeanor as calls flooded the 911 call center beginning at 8:18 pm Monday. Recordings of her voice calmly guiding students as she gathered information have been featured on radio and TV newscasts since the night of the tragedy.
An Eaton Rapids Man who had no connection to Barajas started a GoFundMe page on her behalf, after seeing a trend on TikTok where users are urged to donate $1 to random people. At the time of this publication, more than $3,700 has been donated to the dispatcher who is pictured here with three children.
Dispatcher Speaks Out on Social Media
Barajas made a public post on Tuesday morning (2/14), saying she is grateful for the support. She also urged everyone to remember the names of those who lost their lives Monday night:
- Brian Fraser
- Alexandria Verner
- Arielle Anderson
She went on to urge the public to contact state representatives with a plea to get 911 dispatchers classified as first responders.
If you have suggestions for lawmakers regarding this tragedy or anything pertaining to mass shootings that have plagued our state and country, we have contact information for all of our Michigan State House of Representatives here. Contact information for Michigan State Senators is here.
Barajas' Social Media Post:
"I am grateful and overwhelmed with all of the love and support I have gotten from work, family, friends, and the community.
But please remember the names of the victims:
Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and Arielle Anderson. As well as the 5 others injured and thousands traumatized from this incident caused by 1 single person.
I was doing my job. It’s what we are trained to do, a call you hope you never get but always have to be prepared for.
Last night wouldn’t have gone as smooth if it weren’t for my amazing co workers who I call family, as well as the hundreds of first responders, from all over mid Michigan, who came to the scene, some on their nights off, or after already working a full shift.
Spartan Strong.