We've just passed the five-month mark of a moment that shook the FSU community to its core. On the 20^th of November 2014, an armed gunman walked through the doors of our own Strozier Library, and began to fire.

Three students were struck – Nathan Scott, who was discharged from the hospital the following day, Elijah Velez, who was treated for a graze wound on the scene and released, and Farhad “Ronny" Ahmed. Ronny took the brunt of the attack, enduring multiple bullet wounds that thrust him into critical condition, leaving him with a shattered right arm, paralyzed from the waist down. Fortunately, Ronny not only escaped with his life, but he was also the first to reach 911 and alert the authorities, despite what had happened to him. He was undoubtedly the catalyst preventing the shooter from inflicting even more damage than had already been done that night.

We at The Odyssey were lucky enough to sit down with him and check on his recovery, as well as come to know him as more than just the hero he is, but as the kind hearted, video-game loving, and fire-breathing member of the FSU family.

Here are some of our favorite moments from the interview:

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your background, where you grew up & how you ended up at FSU?

A: I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, went to Lake Highland from Kindergarten-12^th grade.

Q: We read online that you're actually a magician, is this true?

A: It is, when I was fifteen I started fire breathing and wanted to show the school what I could do so I got involved with an organization called “Project Magic." David Copperfield originally started the program and he does physical therapy with children in hospitals, using magic in the process. I ended up learning to breathe fire and that was always a hit, because, come on, it's fire-breathing.

Q: If you could sit down and have a beer with anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?

A: Bill Gates. I just think he's an amazing person, everything that he's done with his life, it inspires me. (We then shared a laugh over this video of Bill Gates jumping over a chair)

Q: Favorite Music Artist/Genre?

A: I like everything, honestly. Everything but country, not my style.

Q: If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: Red Curry Chicken, Thai Red Curry Chicken.

Q: I know that you're involved in a lot of volunteer work, can you talk a little bit about what initially drew you to want to participate in all the humanitarian programs you do?

A: Just wanting and actively trying to help people, that's always been my thing. I was an Eagle Scout also, and community service was always a huge part of that. Also, I've always wanted to travel abroad since my family moved here from Bangladesh, which is really, as far as living conditions and such, just a horrible country. It's the number one most densely populated country in the world, there's a lot of government corruption and flooding. My mom moved to New York when she was 10, and my dad moved to Virginia when he was 18. I've gone back a couple times, and seen all the poverty over there and I feel so bad for the people that are in those predicaments, simply because they just happened to be born over there. I really appreciate the fact that my sister and I were born in America and given the lives that we have. Especially for my sister's sake, considering women's rights are essentially non-existent in Bangladesh.

Q: As far as your future career goals, I know biomedical engineering is such a vast field, do you necessarily have a direction you want to pursue?

A: I think I want to go more medical field, but I also really enjoy the robotics and technology side so I'm not quite sure yet. Especially because the field progresses so quickly, by the time I graduate who knows what I'll be working on by then.

Q: Tell us about your best friends. What are they like/what do they mean to you?

A: My roommates and best friends are real artistic and creative. I like to hangout with really creative people. I have a very scientific way of thinking, so I enjoy surrounding myself with more creative people to get a good balance. But my best friend is definitely my sister. Her name is Farhana and she's 25 years old. From the beginning she's taken care of everything with me, from the moment I got shot. She's dealt with the all the fees and it's really been such a huge job because there are a lot of legalities that you have to be careful of when setting up charity sites. If she hadn't done them correctly, there's a chance I could have lost all the money that was raised for me.

Q: After the shooting, you've obviously been put into a position where you're an object of national attention. How has being in the public eye affected you?

A: It's been a very draining process, it takes a lot of energy to go to so many events and have so many people expect things out of you.

Q: What would you say the effect of the community, and those closest to you, coming together to support you has had on your road to recovery?

A: If I had to do everything myself, I would be a mess. It's definitely been a huge part of recovering, having my family and friends around and just knowing that I have people to rely on.

Q: You are known for having such a consistent positive attitude, even after the shooting, where do you think that mindset comes from?

A: I've kind of always been that way. My sister was worried that after I woke up after the shooting I was going to be really upset, but I came to terms with what happened pretty quickly. My initial thought when I woke up wasn't really shock. I remembered everything about what happened, so my first question to my sister was asking her if I was paralyzed, and she said yes.

Q: Can you briefly talk about your recollection of the seconds before the shooting happened?

A: Well, I was standing next to one of the metal tables right outside Stroz, taking a study break from physics with one of my friends. I heard a pop, I thought it was strange but I've heard random pops here and there around the library before so I didn't know. I turned around and saw a cloud of smoke, and I see this guy walking around. I remember he looked really stern, and I looked down at his right hand and saw the gun. Before I could even turn to start running, he shot me twice.

Q: You had a very unique experience compared to other shooting victims, most experience blackouts or extremely vague recollections of their incidents. However, you never experienced a blackout and you were very aware of what was happening to you. Can you take us through the moment you got shot and what you experienced?

A: As soon as I got shot, I knew what had happened. I knew I broke my arm, I knew my lung had collapsed. I didn't blackout until they were reeling me into the hospital and I was looking up at the lights, and at that point was just like alright well, I held on until the hospital, the rest is on you guys.

Q: And you were the one that actually called the police, after you had gotten shot. How did that go down?

A: As soon as I hit the ground, I looked at the guy standing next to me and I told him, Call 911. He kind of looked at me confused, asked if I was saying the shooter was a cop, and I was like no…that guy shot me, call the cops. Our other friend Robert was there and he's the one who I told to call 911, then he handed me the phone.

Q: Have you had any contact with any of the other victims that got shot that night?

A: Not too much, but one of them actually sent me a letter when I was in the hospital.

Q: Had you not called 911, and did what you did, even more injuries and possible deaths could have possibly resulted and that night could have been far worse. Our school considers you a hero, even more so do the students that were also at the library that night. No one was killed, and we really have you to thank for that, has that resonated with you at all?

A: I mean I just hope someone would do the same for me. No one there deserved for that to happen to him or her, to be shot, or even have to worry about the danger of being shot at outside your school's library. But, sadly they did that night. I just hope that anyone in my situation would try to stop something like that happening to the best of their ability.

Q: It's been almost five months since you were shot. You've inevitably had your good days and your not so good days. What would you say it is that helps you get through the rougher days on your path to recovery? Do you have any sort of closing statement or message that you'd like to give to people in similar situations as you or anyone following your story?

A: Just to stay positive. What I would tell them about me personally is that the only thing that's really changed in my life is there are certain things, that now, I just can't do. So I have to strategize about ways to get around those problems that I have because of my limitations. That's what it comes down to; you just have to find a way to keep going.

Ronny's attitude towards life is an inspiration to all those who've been lucky enough to come to know him, and his outlook creates real perspective for victims of unfortunate circumstance. Despite being thrust into the spotlight because of his injuries and heroic actions that undoubtedly saved lives, he's managed to maintain a humble mindset, and even more incredible, a quick return to normalcy.

One year from his injury date, Ronny's arm and non-permanent injuries are expected to heal completely. He expects to return to campus and resume his classes this summer and graduate from Florida State in two years.

If you would like to donate to Ronny's medical trust to support his family's medical and long-term care expenses, please follow this link.

F.S.U.N.I.T.E.D.