A survivor of the worst mass shooting in Jacksonville's history is speaking out against a new play centered around the tragedy.
Action News Jax report Russell Colburn spoke with the theater group putting on the production and a survivor from the shooting - watch the full report on FOX30 at 10:
Nine people were killed, and others were injured in the General Motors Acceptance Corporation massacre of June 1990.
“He started walking down the aisle just shooting anybody that he saw,” said survivor, Paul Sternett.
Sternett took cover behind his desk as James Edward Pough opened fire at the GMAC office on Baymeadows Way.
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“I turned and looked, and he was raising his rifle. He had me basically in his sights. A girl next to the one who had already been killed crawled out right at his feet,” Sternett said. “He killed her, and I went out the door.”
Wednesday, Florida State College of Jacksonville held its last dress rehearsal for the play "Repossessions: Mass Shooting in Baymeadows."
Tim Gilmore said he was inspired to write it after the Parkland High School massacre.
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“There’s no violence in the play at all,” Gilmore said. “This play is an attempt to treat respectfully and sensitively the stories of people who were there.”
For the cast and crew, this play is the culmination of six weeks of work. They’ll take the stage Thursday night for the show that runs through Sunday.
But Sternett, who survived this horror, is against it.
“The shooter will be mentioned, of course, and he, ultimately, is glorified,” Sternett said. “I think that’s a lot of why we have so many shootings now.”
The director of the play, Ken McCullough, understands that viewpoint.
“If I had gone through something like this, and I found out somebody was doing a play or a film about it, I probably would not go see it,” McCullough said.
The play will not feature any sounds of gunfire.
But Sternett, who survived this horror, is against it.
“The shooter will be mentioned, of course, and he, ultimately, is glorified,” Sternett said. “I think that’s a lot of why we have so many shootings now.”
The director of the play, Ken McCullough, understands that viewpoint.
“If I had gone through something like this, and I found out somebody was doing a play or a film about it, I probably would not go see it,” McCullough said.
The play will not feature any sounds of gunfire.
FSCJ will have heightened security during the shows. McCullough said it’s because of the world we live in.
The images of the GMAC shooting -- as haunting today as they were 29 years ago -- make it clear why.
Tickets to the play are $10 for adults. To reserve seats, call (904) 646-2222.
Cox Media Group
