Survivor of salon shooting tells story to inspire domestic violence victims

ORLANDO, Fla. — It's been one year since a man opened fire in a Casselberry salon where three people were killed and the man's ex-girlfriend was put into a coma for months.

On Friday, that woman told her story of survival to a room full of people in Orlando's City Hall as part of a bigger message.

A very emotional Marcia Santiago told those in attendance that Friday marks one year since she was shot five times and then watched her friends die.

Santiago said she wants her story to inspire domestic violence victims to speak up. She said too many people are scared to say anything, but that it could save their lives.

The crowd stood after a video was shown, recapping what happened at the salon last year. Santiago's ex-boyfriend, 36-year-old Bradford Baumet, shot several people in her salon. The two were scheduled to have a court hearing that day.

The people Santiago spoke to included city workers and community members who help domestic violence victims.

The event for the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Workshop was also for people who may have wanted to get more information about legal help and options for victims.

Santiago spoke exclusively with WFTV, saying, "That they listen to me and they see themselves in my reflection and see what I went through, and that I'm alive, so that they don't' have to hit rock bottom like I did."

Santiago said while Friday is a sad day to remember, she has moved on and will continue to do so.

WFTV