Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, Parkland Shooting Survivor, Dead at 26
Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has died by suicide at the age of 26, according to his family.
Metayer was among those who survived the February 14, 2018 attack that left 17 people dead and forever altered the lives of students, staff, and the broader Parkland community.
In the years following the shooting, Metayer struggled with significant mental health challenges, including schizophrenia, depression, and recurring suicidal thoughts, family members said. His sister shared that he had been hospitalized multiple times and faced ongoing difficulties coping with the trauma of the attack.
Despite those challenges, Metayer made efforts to rebuild his life. Family members said he earned a professional certification and had begun working in the information technology field, expressing hope for the future in recent years.
His family has launched a fundraising effort to help cover funeral expenses and to establish a mental health fund in his name, aimed at supporting others dealing with trauma-related mental health conditions.
Metayer’s death underscores the long-term psychological toll mass shootings can have on survivors and has renewed calls from advocates for expanded mental health resources and sustained support for those affected by traumatic violence.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, help is available. In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24/7.
