Local Girl Away in Ft. Lauderdale Wants Family, Friends to Know She's Safe

NORTH FORK, NY — Carly Doorhy has a message for all her worried friends and family on the North Fork — she's safe.

Doorhy, 18, who's from Mattituck and studies at Sacred Heart University, has been away for winter break in Fort Lauderdale — and was scheduled to fly home Friday at 8 p.m. out of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, where a gunman opened fire Friday afternoon, killing five people, wounding at least eight others and sending scores scrambling in terminals and evacuating to tarmacs.

Thankfully, Doorhy hadn't yet headed to the airport, but she was soon flooded with texts and called from worried loved ones at home.

"It was definitely scary to think I'm planning to come home safe and sound to see my family and friends and then, getting a phone call from my dad, informing me there was a shooting and that he didn't want me coming home today," she told Patch.

Doorhy said she's grateful to be safe, and will stay put until it's safe to travel. "I'm just thankful that my friend and I were not at the airport yet and my prayers are with the families that lost their loved ones on this horrific day," she said.

Carly's mom, Darla Doorhy — the Doorhys lost their older daughter Kaitlyn, who died while away at college, in 2014 — described her feelings, knowing her daughter was in Ft. Lauderdale Friday.

"I was walking down Love Lane and Ed McDonald, a neighbor and great friend, said, 'I'm glad you and your family are home safe.' Then he told me about the shooting in Ft. Lauderdale where Carly and her college friend Karlie are."

Her mother's heart was filled with fear, Doorhy said.

"I couldn't breathe for a second. Then I thanked him for letting me know. And I instantly prayed to God and to Kaitlyn to keep the two of them safe."

Her husband called to tell her he'd spoken to Carly and told her to stay put until they can come home safely. "I prayed for the innocent who lost their lives today, and for those who are wounded," Doorhy said.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn, Carly Doorhy with her parents.