‘Don't let your offender beat you': FSU shooting survivor shares recovery journey
She was one of the eight people shot by a gunman at Florida State University a couple of weeks ago.
Passengers on Jeff Knight's boat describe fatal ferry crash: 'Where the f*** were their lights?'
On Friday, Askins shared her story of perseverance with News Channel 8.
'You always think it won't happen to you, it won't happen to your family members, and then you get shot,' she said.
From the day Askins toured Florida State University, she fell in love with the campus.
News Channel 8 reporter Nicole Rogers asked, 'What does it mean to you to be a Nole?'
'Well, right now, after going through all this, I'd say, definitely unconquerable,' she responded.
Askins graduated from FSU with her bachelor's degree last year but decided to take her education a step further.
She returned to Florida State to get her master's degree, and in the midst of her time as a graduate student, the unthinkable happened.
'You're going to lunch, you're minding your own business and then, all of the sudden, you hear gunshots,' Askins explained.
Askins said the bullet went through her buttocks and into her L5 vertebrae.
She explained that's where it remains today.
Looking back, Askins believes she's alive because of something her parents, both retired Marines, told her growing up.
'When it comes to a shooting, play dead,' she explained. 'I mean, none of these are foolproof, they're not foolproof, but at the same time, these things will increase your chance of survival.'
'They are hard conversations that I hate that we have to have in the world, but they're very much necessary,' Askins continued.
News Channel 8 reporter Nicole Rogers asked, 'Do you think it's because of those things your parents taught you that you're here today?'
'100%,' she responded. 'I fully believe if I was moving, he would've shot me again.'
But her story doesn't stop there. The perseverant FSU student said she will be back in August.
'Good news is, I'm off the walker so I'm on the cane now,' Askins said.
As her journey of recovery continues, she wants the world to know, life doesn't have to end after a tragedy.
'Don't let your offender beat you,' she said. 'Whatever he took from you, go get it back.'
'Keep going, keep moving forward, don't let them win,' Askins continued. 'Also, to everybody watching: life is short, eat a cookie.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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What the US is doing about security in space Nations are scrambling to create their own rocket and space programs to exploit commercial prospects and ensure they aren't dependent on foreign satellites. It's an expensive and difficult proposition, as demonstrated last week when the first Australian-made rocket crashed after 14 seconds of flight. The U.S. Space Force was created in 2019 to protect American interests in space and to defend U.S. satellites from attacks from adversaries. The space service is far smaller than the more well-established services like the Army, Navy or Air Force, but it's growing, and the White House is expected to announce a location for its headquarters soon. Colorado and Alabama are both candidates. The U.S. military operates an unmanned space shuttle used to conduct classified military missions and research. The craft, known as the X-37B, recently returned to Earth after more than a year in orbit. 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