Gabriel Sears oral history interview, 2024 September 13

Oral history interview with Gabriel Sears conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 13, 2024 for the UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shootings project. In this interview, Sears explains beginning as a history major in 2017, but due to financial aid issues, not re-enrolling until August 2023. On December 6, he intended to come to campus to complete his enrollment paperwork, but was changed his mind. He recalls being in his apartment when he heard police sirens coming from the Harmon station, and a friend called saying the school was on lockdown and she was locked in a lab. He had time to call his family and friends to tell them he was okay before going to work. He continued to message with his friend in lockdown, comforting her by sending cat pictures and memes. He describes how the shooting reminded him of his mortality and instilled in him the drive to go to law school in order to advocate for others. He shares how the body-cam footage affected his mental health, and shares his thoughts on the news coverage of the shooting and its aftermath. Digital audio and transcript available.