FSU Student's Books Saved Him from Shooter's Bullets

A Florida State University student is thanking God and a backpack full of books for saving him from the gunfire that erupted on the campus Thursday morning.

Jason Derfuss of Orlando was leaving Strozier Library when the shooting occurred.

“I didn’t know this at the time, but the shooter targeted me first,” Derfuss wrote on his Facebook page. “The shot I heard behind me I did not feel, nor did it hit me at all.”

Derfuss was only feet away from the man that police ultimately shot and killed Thursday morning. His backpack was full of book he’d just checked out from the library.

“I never thought to check my bag,” he wrote. “I assumed I wasn’t a target. I assumed I was fine.”

It was only later that Derfuss noticed the bullet holes in the books. Those books have since been collected by police for use in the investigation, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.

“The truth is I was almost killed tonight and God intervened,” he wrote. “I know conceptually He can do all things, but to physically witness the impossible and to be surrounded by such grace is indescribable. To God be the glory, forever and ever, Amen.”

See Also:

• Video Shows FSU Students Hunkered Down During Shooting
• FSU Gunman Shot, Killed
• ‘Today We Are All FSU,’ USF Grad Says Following Shooting

Thursday’s shooting unfolded around 12:30 a.m. when a gunman shot three people in the campus library. He was shot and killed by police a short time later.

Police have not yet released the shooter’s name or those belonging to his victims. Two of those shot were taken to local hospitals. The third was treated on the scene.

Five officers from the Tallahassee and Florida State University police departments have been put on paid administrative leave following the shooting. The school canceled all classes for Thursday and the library has been closed until further notice.

Photo Credit: Facebook