Last week it was brought to my attention that HBO was releasing a documentary about the Tree of Life mass shooting. I was asked by a fellow Pittsburgh Redditor to share some thoughts on the documentary after I watched it. I did not want to watch it, but I knew I needed too.

Before I delve into it, I want to say, I am no hero. I was there, and I did my job, but it was Officers Anthony Burke, Timothy Matson, Dan Mead, and Michael Smidga, the 4 Officers who were wounded, who are the true heroes. Dan Mead and Anthony Burke were each shot in a hand, Michael Smidga took shrapnel to his head, and Timothy Matson was shot numerous times. All of them suffered life changing injuries that day and they ought to be remembered for their heroism.

The first 30 minutes of the documentary is a mashup of interviews with survivors of the incident talking about what happened. Some of the audio from the interviews is laid over bits of footage of the incident. The interviews are excellent. One never ceases to be amazed by the resiliency of the survivors and how so many of them are able to find forgiveness in their hearts for the shooter.

No first responders were interviewed. This surprised me and is my only complaint about the documentary. In fact, the officers who were wounded were never even mentioned I think. There are many Pittsburgh Police Officers and Medics who are members of the Squirrel Hill Community. It wasn't just a very bad day at work for them, but a day in which they too lost friends and family. When bad things happen to first responders, I often hear it said "Well that's their job." Yes, it is, but that doesn't make it right or make first responders any less of victims. I'll carry this day the rest of my life and I know many of my brothers and sisters will too, and while it may be selfish of me, I do wish the documentary had touched on us too.

Anyways, after the first 30 minutes, the documentary shifts from being focused on the what of the incident to the why of the incident. The rise in hate crimes, white supremacy, and anti-semitism are all discussed, but only very briefly. I wish the producers had spent a little more time on the why, but really there wasn't much to say about it. Our country has experienced a rise in hate crimes and hate group activity, and we all know it. A hateful, evil, man came to our community and killed our neighbors. It's probably best they didn't talk to much about him because he does not deserve to be remembered.

The following portion of the documentary is focused on political activism that occurred after the shooting, mainly gun control activism from community members, the laws city council attempted to pass, and the response from pro-gun community members. Active shooter response training is also touched on.

The documentary then circles back to interviews with family members and friends of the victims of the shooting and does a good job bringing attention to those who died and immortalizing them.

Lastly, the documentary touches on the ongoing dispute in the community between those who want the death penalty for the shooter, and those who do not. Regarding this, I had the opportunity to meet Dan Leger while he was in the hospital and sit and talk with him. He is a wise man whose heart is full of forgiveness. I'll say that as much as I respect Mr Leger, I agree with Audrey Glickman, I will never forgive and I will never forget.

Overall, the documentary is very good and well worth watching.

May the memories of those lost be a blessing to all of us, and please remember, love your neighbor as you love yourself.