Jewish Father Of Parkland Victim Says He’s A ‘Walking Dead Man’

Andrew Pollack Image by Getty Images

By Josh Nathan-Kazis February 13, 2019

Andrew Pollack, the Jewish father of one of the 17 people massacred at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting last February 14, says he hasn’t smiled since his daughter Meadow was killed.

Pollack has been one of the most vocal of the parents of the shooting victims, arguing that school leaders and elected officials should be held responsible for the tragedy that day.

But in interviews with the L.A. Times and the Palm Beach Post in advance of the anniversary of the shooting, Pollack described in detail the trauma that the past year has held for him and his family.

“I haven’t smiled since my daughter was murdered. I just can’t do it. You can’t enjoy yourself anymore in life,” Pollack told the Palm Beach Post.

Pollack has written a book, filed a lawsuit, and, according to the Post, confronted the campus monitor who was on duty at the high school that day.

“I’m a walking dead man,” he told the L.A. Times. “I feel bad for my wife that she’s even gotta be with me.”

He told the L.A. Times that he would not mark the anniversary of the shooting. “Every day is Feb. 14 to me,” Pollack said.

Pollack has met with President Trump. Unlike other parents of Parkland victims, Pollack is not an advocate for gun control. “I’m like, ‘Why is everyone just focusing on gun control when I know there are multiple failures that happened?’” he told the L.A. Times.

Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at nathankazis@forward.com or on Twitter, @joshnathankazis

Josh Nathan-Kazis is a staff writer for the Forward. He covers charities and politics, and writes investigations and longform.

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