The fluorescent lights of her Brown University dorm room buzzed with an unnerving intensity as Mia Tretta attempted to focus on her finals in December 2025. The air, usually thick with the quiet hum of academic pursuit, was now charged with a chilling dread, amplified by a cascade of frantic messages flooding her phone. An active shooter on campus. The words themselves were a jolt, a visceral trigger that sent a phantom ache through her abdomen, a ghostly echo of a wound inflicted years prior. This phenomenon, which she termed "phantom bullet syndrome," a haunting parallel to phantom limb syndrome, resurfaced during moments of extreme stress, a stark reminder of the violence that had already irrevocably marked her young life.
Tretta’s journey through the crucible of gun violence began in 2019, a freshman at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. It was there, amidst the mundane rhythm of teenage life, that a classmate unleashed a torrent of gunfire. The attack claimed the lives of two students, including Tretta’s best friend, and left two others injured. Tretta herself was struck in the stomach by a .45-caliber round. The bullet, a devastating projectile, tore through her body, leaving an indelible physical and psychological scar. The harrowing experience, though she survived, was a profound trauma that would shape her understanding of safety and vulnerability for years to come.
"It’s crazy to say that the first time, I was the lucky one because though I got shot, I didn’t get killed," Tretta reflected, her voice steady despite the weight of her experiences. "And the second time, I was the lucky one because I was a few blocks away." Her ability to frame these near-death encounters with such measured perspective speaks volumes about her resilience and the profound impact of living through multiple acts of gun violence. Now an anti-gun violence advocate and a student of public affairs and education, Tretta embodies a growing cohort of young Americans, often referred to as Generation Z, who have been repeatedly exposed to the horrors of gun violence, not as abstract news headlines, but as deeply personal traumas.
Her experiences are not isolated incidents but are increasingly being understood through a scientific lens. A groundbreaking study published in BMC Public Health in January of this year has provided robust evidence linking direct and indirect exposure to gun violence with higher rates of chronic pain among American adults. This research offers a critical insight into the pervasive and often overlooked physical health consequences of gun violence, extending far beyond the immediate casualties.
The Scope of the Study and Its Findings
The study, conducted by researchers at Rutgers University, delved into the multifaceted nature of gun violence exposure. They meticulously examined six distinct types of encounters: being shot directly, being threatened with a firearm, hearing gunshots, witnessing a shooting, knowing a friend or family member who was shot, and knowing someone who died by firearm suicide. Utilizing data from a nationally representative survey of 8,009 individuals, the researchers uncovered a significant correlation between these exposures and the prevalence of chronic pain. The findings revealed that 23.9% of respondents experienced pain most days or every day, while an additional 18.8% reported experiencing a lot of pain. These figures underscore the widespread and persistent nature of pain experienced by those touched by gun violence.
Daniel Semenza, the lead author of the study and director of research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, emphasized the profound interconnectedness of mental and physical health in the context of gun violence. "Your body, through the experience of post-traumatic stress, is going to feel as if it’s happening over and over and over again," Semenza explained. This concept of re-experiencing trauma, a hallmark of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can manifest physically, leading to a chronic amplification of pain signals and a heightened sensitivity to physical discomfort.
Mia Tretta’s Personal Journey with Chronic Pain
For Mia Tretta, the physical ramifications of the Saugus High School shooting have been a long and arduous journey. While she underwent surgeries to remove the bullet, fragments remain lodged within her body, a constant physical reminder of that fateful day. To manage the persistent pain, she received a nerve block, a medical intervention aimed at disrupting pain signals. However, the lingering effects of the trauma extend beyond the initial injury. She was subsequently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints.
"I have dealt with chronic pain, immunodeficiencies, and bodily differences ever since the shooting happened," Tretta shared. "Every time I get a fever, it’s a completely different thing than anyone else I know, or even pre-shooting for me. I shake uncontrollably, and it hurts to even touch my arm." Her description paints a vivid picture of how trauma can dysregulate the body’s systems, leading to a cascade of complex health issues that persist long after the initial event. This personal testimony aligns precisely with the study’s findings, highlighting the tangible and debilitating impact of gun violence on survivors’ physical well-being.
The Broader Implications of Gun Violence Exposure
The Rutgers study represents a crucial step in understanding the often-underestimated physical health toll of gun violence. It moves beyond the immediate trauma and injury to explore the long-term, chronic conditions that can emerge. "It highlights the fact that, for the thousands of people who are killed every year, there are lots of people who knew those folks," Semenza stated. "The toll of gun violence is much broader than we originally anticipated." This sentiment is echoed by Efrat Eichenbaum, an inpatient psychologist who has treated gun violence survivors and their families at a Level 1 trauma center in north Minneapolis.
Eichenbaum observed, "You can plainly see the trauma that follows an event like that. Not just for the survivors, but for their families. It does not even limit itself to family members. This is an issue that touches entire communities." The ripple effect of gun violence extends outward, impacting not only those directly involved but also their social networks and the communities they inhabit. This collective trauma can manifest in various ways, including increased anxiety, depression, and, as the study suggests, chronic pain.
David Patterson, an emeritus professor at the University of Washington whose research focuses on pain, underscores the societal cost of chronic pain stemming from gun violence. "Chronic pain is a major health problem in itself, and it costs our society billions of dollars because it’s very hard to manage," Patterson explained. "You can’t cure it; it has to be managed." The economic burden of chronic pain, exacerbated by gun violence, is substantial, encompassing healthcare costs, lost productivity, and the diminished quality of life for millions of individuals.
The Long Shadow of Trauma: A Generation Defined by Violence
Tretta’s experience at Brown University in December 2025 serves as a poignant illustration of how the threat of gun violence can become a constant companion for a generation that has grown up with it. The "phantom bullet syndrome" she described is a testament to the enduring psychological and physiological impact of trauma. Her physical scars are a constant reminder, a visceral connection to the violence she survived. "Your body will never be the same as it was before," she articulated with a profound sense of resignation and reality. "There’s no time that you can’t feel the 7 or 8 inches of scar tissue running through the middle of your stomach. It’s just a constant physical reminder, because you can’t leave your body."
The resilience of individuals like Mia Tretta is remarkable, but their stories also highlight a systemic failure to adequately address the pervasive impact of gun violence. The Rutgers study offers critical data that can inform public health policies and interventions. By acknowledging and understanding the link between gun violence exposure and chronic pain, healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities can begin to develop more comprehensive support systems for survivors. This includes not only immediate medical care but also long-term pain management strategies, mental health support, and resources to address the complex interplay of physical and psychological trauma.
The events of December 2025 at Brown University, while occurring a few blocks away from Tretta, served as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat. The proximity of another shooting, coupled with her past trauma, undoubtedly amplified her stress and triggered her "phantom bullet syndrome." This second encounter, though she was physically unharmed, underscored the pervasive nature of gun violence and its ability to cast a long shadow over the lives of young people.
Moving Forward: A Call for Comprehensive Solutions
The implications of this research are far-reaching. It calls for a re-evaluation of how gun violence is perceived and addressed in the United States. Beyond legislative efforts to reduce gun deaths, there is a pressing need for greater investment in trauma-informed care, mental health services, and chronic pain management for survivors and their families. The "phantom bullet syndrome" experienced by Tretta, while a personal manifestation, points to a broader need for understanding how trauma can manifest in the body.
The study’s findings provide a scientific basis for advocating for policies that prioritize the physical and mental well-being of individuals exposed to gun violence. This includes supporting organizations that offer long-term care and advocacy for survivors, as well as promoting educational initiatives that raise awareness about the lingering effects of gun violence.
As Mia Tretta continues her advocacy and her studies, her voice serves as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of gun violence. Her journey, marked by profound loss and persistent physical challenges, is a critical reminder that the fight for gun safety is not merely about preventing future deaths, but also about healing the wounds of those who have already survived. The chronic pain experienced by so many, as illuminated by the Rutgers study, is a silent epidemic, an enduring echo of violence that demands our attention and our action. The future of a generation shaped by such pervasive trauma hinges on our collective ability to move beyond mere statistics and recognize the profound and lasting human cost of gun violence.
This article was reported by The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence in America. Sign up for its newsletters here.
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