Parkland School Shooting Survivor Donovan Metayer Dies by Suicide at Age 26: 'He Carried Unimaginable Sorrow'

Published: Monday, December 22, 2025 at 1:32 am

Parkland Shooting Survivor Donovan Metayer Dies by Suicide

Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, has died by suicide at the age of 26. His family announced his passing on December 15th, following a seven-year battle with schizophrenia.

Metayer was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a mass shooting claimed the lives of 17 people and injured at least 17 others. The family shared that the trauma of the event significantly impacted Metayer's mental health, leading to depression, guilt, emotional instability, and periods of isolation.

Despite seeking treatment, including therapy and medication, Metayer struggled with his mental health. He was hospitalized multiple times for suicidal ideation. He had received involuntary treatment under Florida's Baker Act in 2021, temporarily barring him from purchasing a firearm. However, a Risk Protection Order lapsed earlier this month, and he was allowed to purchase a handgun. A week later, he used the handgun to take his own life.

The family is using a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses and to support an organization assisting people with behavioral health conditions in Florida. They plan to establish a fund at the Henderson Behavioral Health Clinic to provide healthcare, housing, and hope for individuals with behavioral health conditions.

BNN's Perspective: This is a tragic story that highlights the lasting impact of gun violence and the critical need for accessible mental health resources. It underscores the importance of addressing the mental health challenges faced by survivors of traumatic events and the need for comprehensive support systems. The family's efforts to create a fund in Donovan's memory are a testament to their resilience and a call to action for the community.

Keywords: Parkland school shooting, suicide, Donovan Metayer, mental health, schizophrenia, trauma, gun violence, Baker Act, GoFundMe, Henderson Behavioral Health Clinic, depression, emotional instability, isolation, Florida.

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