emilynghiem
Constitutionalist / Universalist
I got an alert at work in Houston about a shooting at one of the stores in California.
Apparently the store employees were trained to follow an emergency protocol on how to evacuate customers out of the store. One customer got shot in the hand, and the target of the gunman was shot later in a standoff outside. The employee was reported in critical condition, and only the gunman died after being shot by police.
I hate to hear of this, especially right after reading about the doctor in Louisiana shot dead by a mentally ill man.
But the good news here, at least the gunman didn't get anyone killed but himself.
The employees were prepared, followed protocol and reduced the risks of worse damage or death.
The police acted effectively, where there were no additional losses. (I'm still sorry this man couldn't be saved from himself; I wish we could have earlier intervention and learn to diffuse these situations before the point of no return.)
Also, when the information came to me directly from the top, to make sure the correct information was disseminated, the media reports appear to be consistent with what was confirmed by people at the site.
I took that as a good sign, and hope of transparency that we can get our media to match what really happens.
I've lived through crises where the reality on the ground is nothing like what is reported in the news. Overall I was impressed that the police and employees were able to manage this and cap the damages and losses. I am sorry for the people who got shot, including the gunman and really hope to see prevention in the future.
If more people respond this effectively to deadly shootings, terror attacks, etc.
we can survive and prevent more fatalities in the future.
My thanks go to the police and the professional management training that worked as well as could be asked.
My heart goes out to the shooting victims, staff and customers affected by this incident,
and the families and community that have to deal with the aftermath.
May it lead to healing and greater understanding, appreciation of what went right here,
and outreach to prevent such abuse and violence by earlier intervention before it's too late to save someone.
May all the people who need help, find help without having to cry out in this way.
So sad, at the same time I am glad, grateful for how professionally all the people responded.
Reminds me of the Arizona shooting, and how the focus on positive response by the community
did more to inspire me with hope that outweighed the negative feelings surrounding that tragedy.
For all the humble unsung heroes out there who make all the difference in life,
Thank you!
====================================
Here is the story online:
Gunman Critically Wounds Ex-Girlfriend During Hourslong Hostage Standoff, Is Fatally Shot by Officers
A woman was critically injured during an apparent "domestic violence shooting" after being held hostage, and her ex-boyfriend was killed by police after a nearly three-hour long standoff on Thursday, according to authorities.
Authorities initially received a call around 2:20 p.m. regarding a man firing a gun in the parking lot of an Office Depot on Orange Street, according to a news release from the Redlands Police Department.
Redlands police officers were at the scene of a hostage standoff on Thursday, March 24, 2016. (Credit: Southern California News Group)
The alleged gunman, later identified by police as 29-year-old Andrew Mike, then entered the store in search of his recently estranged girlfriend, the release stated.
A confrontation allegedly occurred inside the store and Mike again fired his weapon, this time striking a bystander who was hit in the hand.
Redlands police Chief Mark Garcia tweeted that one person was shot inside the store at onset of the incident, and had injuries that were not life-threatening.
One person was shot inside the store at onset of the incident, and had injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. (Credit: Southern California News Group)
Police said Mike then forced the woman, identified by her father as Kristin Bauer, 28, to leave the store through a back exit and walk eastbound into a residential area on High Street.
The two could be seen sitting in a grassy area next to the street surrounded by a SWAT team and sharp-shooters, aerials from Sky5 showed.
"Crisis negotiators spent over two hours trying to secure the release of the hostage and a safe conclusion to the event," according to the release.
Authorities tried to negotiate with a gunman in Redlands who was holding his ex-girlfriend hostage on Thursday, March 24, 2016. (Credit: Southern California News Group)
Greg Bauer told the San Bernardino Sun that he spoke with his daughter by cellphone during the terrifying ordeal.
"She kept telling him, 'You gotta let me go. You gotta let me go.' And, he said, 'I'm not afraid to die,'" Bauer told the newspaper.
Just after 4:30 p.m., Mike shot Kristin Bauer and an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Mike was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said at a news conference following the shooting.
Kristin Bauer was transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center by helicopter.
She was listed in critical condition.
The Redlands Police Department was investigating the crimes that occurred in the Office Depot parking lot and store. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department was conducting the investigation into the shooting that occurred on High Avenue.
Apparently the store employees were trained to follow an emergency protocol on how to evacuate customers out of the store. One customer got shot in the hand, and the target of the gunman was shot later in a standoff outside. The employee was reported in critical condition, and only the gunman died after being shot by police.
I hate to hear of this, especially right after reading about the doctor in Louisiana shot dead by a mentally ill man.
But the good news here, at least the gunman didn't get anyone killed but himself.
The employees were prepared, followed protocol and reduced the risks of worse damage or death.
The police acted effectively, where there were no additional losses. (I'm still sorry this man couldn't be saved from himself; I wish we could have earlier intervention and learn to diffuse these situations before the point of no return.)
Also, when the information came to me directly from the top, to make sure the correct information was disseminated, the media reports appear to be consistent with what was confirmed by people at the site.
I took that as a good sign, and hope of transparency that we can get our media to match what really happens.
I've lived through crises where the reality on the ground is nothing like what is reported in the news. Overall I was impressed that the police and employees were able to manage this and cap the damages and losses. I am sorry for the people who got shot, including the gunman and really hope to see prevention in the future.
If more people respond this effectively to deadly shootings, terror attacks, etc.
we can survive and prevent more fatalities in the future.
My thanks go to the police and the professional management training that worked as well as could be asked.
My heart goes out to the shooting victims, staff and customers affected by this incident,
and the families and community that have to deal with the aftermath.
May it lead to healing and greater understanding, appreciation of what went right here,
and outreach to prevent such abuse and violence by earlier intervention before it's too late to save someone.
May all the people who need help, find help without having to cry out in this way.
So sad, at the same time I am glad, grateful for how professionally all the people responded.
Reminds me of the Arizona shooting, and how the focus on positive response by the community
did more to inspire me with hope that outweighed the negative feelings surrounding that tragedy.
For all the humble unsung heroes out there who make all the difference in life,
Thank you!
====================================
Here is the story online:
Gunman Critically Wounds Ex-Girlfriend During Hourslong Hostage Standoff, Is Fatally Shot by Officers
A woman was critically injured during an apparent "domestic violence shooting" after being held hostage, and her ex-boyfriend was killed by police after a nearly three-hour long standoff on Thursday, according to authorities.
Authorities initially received a call around 2:20 p.m. regarding a man firing a gun in the parking lot of an Office Depot on Orange Street, according to a news release from the Redlands Police Department.
Redlands police officers were at the scene of a hostage standoff on Thursday, March 24, 2016. (Credit: Southern California News Group)
The alleged gunman, later identified by police as 29-year-old Andrew Mike, then entered the store in search of his recently estranged girlfriend, the release stated.
A confrontation allegedly occurred inside the store and Mike again fired his weapon, this time striking a bystander who was hit in the hand.
Redlands police Chief Mark Garcia tweeted that one person was shot inside the store at onset of the incident, and had injuries that were not life-threatening.
One person was shot inside the store at onset of the incident, and had injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. (Credit: Southern California News Group)
Police said Mike then forced the woman, identified by her father as Kristin Bauer, 28, to leave the store through a back exit and walk eastbound into a residential area on High Street.
The two could be seen sitting in a grassy area next to the street surrounded by a SWAT team and sharp-shooters, aerials from Sky5 showed.
"Crisis negotiators spent over two hours trying to secure the release of the hostage and a safe conclusion to the event," according to the release.
Authorities tried to negotiate with a gunman in Redlands who was holding his ex-girlfriend hostage on Thursday, March 24, 2016. (Credit: Southern California News Group)
Greg Bauer told the San Bernardino Sun that he spoke with his daughter by cellphone during the terrifying ordeal.
"She kept telling him, 'You gotta let me go. You gotta let me go.' And, he said, 'I'm not afraid to die,'" Bauer told the newspaper.
Just after 4:30 p.m., Mike shot Kristin Bauer and an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Mike was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said at a news conference following the shooting.
Kristin Bauer was transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center by helicopter.
She was listed in critical condition.
The Redlands Police Department was investigating the crimes that occurred in the Office Depot parking lot and store. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department was conducting the investigation into the shooting that occurred on High Avenue.