Local

SC second-grader writes letter to president: 'Please keep kids safe from guns'

TOWNVILLE, SC — A 7-year-old South Carolina girl who survived a school shooting almost two years ago wrote a letter to President Donald Trump -- and much to her surprise, received a response, according to The Washington Post.

Ava Olsen was one of the students on the playground in Townville, South Carolina in September 2016 when a 14-year-old drove up to the school and opened fire, police said.

Three people were shot, including Olsen's classmate, Jacob Hall, who died.

[RELATED: Local schools show superhero support for school shooting victim]

[IMAGES: Local schools show superhero support for school shooting victim]

According to The Washington Post, Ava, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is now home-schooled, wrote the president a heartfelt letter explaining her story and asking him to help stop the violence.

In her letter, Olsen said, “My best friend, Jacob, was shot and died. That made me very sad. I loved him and was going to marry him one day.

“Please,” she concluded, “keep kids safe from guns.”

Weeks later, Trump wrote back, saying, “Dear Ava, thank you for your letter. It is very brave of you to share your story with me. Mrs. Trump and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Jacob. It is my goal as president to make sure that children in America grow up in safe environments, giving them the best opportunity to realize their full potential."

The paper said Olsen appreciated the response. After a couple of days, she sat down to write another letter, telling the president she had some ideas of her own.

[READ MORE: Boy shot at South Carolina school to have superhero funeral]

Those ideas included moving schools to safer places, giving children a place to run if something bad happens and building schools in circles, placing playgrounds in the middle.

After months of psychological analyses and legal delays, a judge is expected to review testimony and evidence the week of Feb. 12 before deciding whether the shooter, Jesse Osborne, should be tried as a juvenile or an adult.

If it’s the latter, he could face decades in prison.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: