LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — Florida State University shooting survivor Madison Askins is staying positive and looking to the future as she continues to recover from a gunshot wound.

Askins was one of five people who survived the on-campus shooting in April. The daughter of two marines, she says her parents taught that if she ever got shot to stay in the same place and don’t move.

She believes their guidance is part of why she’s still here today.

What You Need To Know

  • Madison Askins says her hope is to be able to walk unassisted by the end of May

  • She plans to return to FSU in August

  • Askins says she's staying positive and focusing on her career goals

  • For now, she's recovering at home in Land O' Lakes 

“I believe it saved my life — knowing how to play dead when you get shot — because I didn’t get shot again,” she said.

Askins was shot in the lower part of her spine, at the L5 vertebra.

She said the bullet is still sitting by her spine. 

Following the shooting, Askins says she spent about four days in a Tallahassee hospital before making the trip back to Land O’ Lakes to recover at home with her parents’ help.

During her hospital stay, she says she started taking steps with the assistance of a walker. Two weeks later, she’s moved to longer distances each day while using a cane.

Her goal is to be able to walk without assistance by the end of May, so she can still attend her summer internship out of state, which is something she has been looking forward to.

Askins says she’s staying positive and focusing on short-term goals.

“Don’t forget the events that happened, but don’t let them drag you down,” she said.

Askins plans to return to FSU in August to continue on her track of finishing her graduate degree in May 2026. She graduated from FSU’s undergraduate program last year, and is looking forward to walking across the stage once again. While it might be tough at first, she said she will be returning to campus.

“I have no intention of going online or letting this defeat me or, God forbid, him win — like, no, that’s not happening,” she said.

Askins says while she will follow the sentencing, she won’t spend time thinking about the shooting suspect. Her focus is on her future and starting her career after graduation.

“Something good is going to come out of this. I just have to get through the hurdle,” she said.

Askins says she’s thankful to everyone who has reached out to check on her and the first responders, doctors and nurses who helped to save her life.