Firefighter Makes Bulletproof Vests for Children Amid Rampant School Shooting Incidents

A firefighter from Phoenix, Arizona, has devised lightweight, bulletproof vests meant for children whose lives could be at risk in light of the rampant school shooting incidents across the U.S.

Fire Captain Kevin Goodman shared on ABC News that he created bulletproof vests for kids because of his fears for his four children. With over 300 school shootings in the last two decades, Goodman said that he's agonizing over the thought of not seeing his kids alive one day.

Goodman established Escape Armour, which markets the easy-to-use vests for smaller body builts. He specifically designed the protective gear with solid plates and without zippers or buckles, so it's compact yet durable. It's meant to be stored inside a school bag or kept in the children's desk in school.

Making a Difference

Goodman said that while schools conduct drills and other emergency exercises, he felt the need to "prepare for other things." He believes that his idea will positively affect a tragic incident like a school shooting.

"School shootings are happening, and they are occurring more often than we think," the father said. "I just wanted to give people something that could actually make a difference."

The captain noted the Texas school shooting in October 2021 after an 18-year-old perpetrator open-fired at Timberview High School during a fight with other kids. Reports cited that the teenager was fighting back against the bullies who allegedly robbed him twice. There were no deaths in this incident, but four people required hospital treatment.

A 15-year-old also open-fired at the Oxford High School in Michigan in late November, killing four people. Police have charged the perpetrator for terrorism and murder, while his parents have also been charged for involuntary manslaughter.

According to The Washington Post, protective gear and bulletproof products for school kids have increased sales since 2016. The news outlet also reported that the school security industry has evolved into a billion-dollar industry with hundreds of products sold for crisis response training, preventing active shooters, and protecting students and school workers.

Michigan School Shooting Latest

Meanwhile, Oxford High School officials have been slapped with a lawsuit from the family of one of the student victims. Parents Jeffrey Franz and Brandi Franz are seeking damages for their children's physical and emotional trauma, Riley and Bella Franz.

Bella, 14, was shot in the neck and is recovering from her wounds. Her parents said that the school did not do enough to prevent the school shooter and protect the kids. They want the school to pay $100 million as compensation for each of their children's agony.

This is the first known lawsuit filed tied to the Michigan school shooting. Legal experts believe that it will not be easy to sue a school district, but the Franz family's attorney said something needs to be done to stop the school shootings.