On a snowy, windy April day in Blacksburg, Virginia, in 2007, a routine day of classes turns into a devastating tragedy inside Norris Hall. Students pursued a college education in courses like Introductory German, Intermediate French, Advanced Hydrology Engineering, and Solid Mechanics, weaving together a day that would be remembered for its sudden violence and lasting impact. Thirty-two people were killed, 17 were wounded, and six more were injured while escaping by jumping from windows, leaving a community shaken and seeking answers.
Among the wounded was a 21-year-old senior International Studies major from Richmond, Colin Goddard. He became a pivotal figure in the story not only because of what happened to him, but because he was the only person inside Norris Hall who called the police as the gunfire drew closer. Urged by his French professor to dial 911, he handed the phone to a classmate, who provided critical information that helped responders reach the scene. The police arrived three minutes later, entering a building already barricaded by fear and chaos. The sequence of events showed how crucial that initial call was to the unfolding rescue efforts.
Goddard faced an extraordinarily traumatic experience, being shot four times during the eleven-minute assault. He heard rescue workers approach and the shouted triage codes—red tag, black tag—that prioritized the dying and injured. After the ordeal, doctors warned that he might not walk again, but he endured grueling physical therapy and gradually rebuilt his strength. The experience ignited a powerful resolve in him to change how people think about safety and access to weapons. He carried forward with a renewed purpose.
The aftermath of his recovery led him to a new chapter beyond his studies and physical treatments. He chose to channel his experience into advocacy, joining the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the nation’s largest gun-control organization, and pursuing a bold, undercover path to expose vulnerabilities in gun sales. He volunteered to wear a hidden camera and go undercover into gun shows across the United States to demonstrate how easily a gun could be purchased with little to no identification or background checks, highlighting what he believed needed to change to protect others from similar harm. This decision reflected a determination to transform personal tragedy into public action, aiming to keep dangerous people from obtaining firearms too easily.
Goddard’s life and mission later intersected with the broader voices who shared this chapter of his story, including his family and others who appear in the film. Notably, his mother, Anne Goddard, figures in his story as a steadfast presence in his recovery and ongoing efforts. The narrative of Living for 32 centers on Colin’s courage, resilience, and his relentless push for reform, presenting a long, immersive portrait of how one survivor chose to transform tragedy into a call for change. This is his story, told with care and a clear eye toward hope and accountability.
