In a heartbreaking account, an eight-year-old girl named Lila Cohen recounted her harrowing experience during a tragic shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California. Lila was among the young attendees at the Chabad of Poway temple during Passover services when a gunman opened fire. Though she survived, she is left with physical wounds and emotional scars that may never heal.
Lila was at the service with her uncle, David Miller, when chaos erupted. “It was terrifying,” she shared with reporters. “We go there to pray, to feel safe, but that day was different.” Gripping her uncle’s hand, she watched as the gunman aimed directly at them. “He was aiming at the kids,” Lila stated, recalling how shrapnel from a bullet meant for her uncle struck her leg and face. “It felt like I had the biggest bruise ever,” she added, struggling to articulate the pain.
This was not Lila’s first encounter with violence. Her family had previously fled their home in a conflict zone in Israel, where they experienced rocket attacks. After relocating to California, they faced another form of hostility when their home was vandalized with swastikas. “We had to sleep in a locked room, ready to defend ourselves,” Lila’s father, Jacob Cohen, explained.
After moving to Poway, Lila’s family was hopeful for peace, but the recent attack shattered that illusion. Thanks to her uncle’s quick thinking, Lila and several other children managed to escape. “I saw him aiming at me from across the room,” David recalled. After being shot, he urged the kids to follow him to safety, leading them to the rabbi’s house next door.
The tragedy took the life of their family friend, Sarah Kessler, who had been at the temple to honor her late mother. Meanwhile, other individuals displayed remarkable courage during the attack. Veteran firefighter Mark Johnson ran towards the sound of gunfire, confronting the shooter and forcing him to flee. “I yelled at him, and he dropped his weapon,” Johnson recounted, highlighting the bravery displayed that day.
For Lila, the trauma from this hate-filled act will linger, casting a shadow over her childhood. “I feel like someone is always watching us, and it’s scary,” she confessed.
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In summary, Lila’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the impact of violence on innocent lives. As she and her family cope with their grief and trauma, the community rallies around them, hoping for healing and peace.