THE INCIDENT
Just over two months ago, a suicidal 18-year-old youth walked into an elementary school 90 miles from my home and slaughtered 19 students and 2 teachers.
Last Saturday night, I watched excerpts from a 77-minute video of the tragedy taken from a security camera inside the school and a minute long video taken from outside the school as the shooter approached the school.
Then on Sunday night, I watched a 30-second or so excerpt from the body cam of two law enforcement officers.
For one of the few times in my life, I wished I could have NOT watched those videos.
Watching the school video after listening to and reading various news reports of the incident, the shock and disbelief at what I was seeing pierced my soul.
The video I watched was edited in the sense that the sounds of the children screaming were deleted, but I could see the perpetrator in the hallway who then entered the classroom, the arrival of the subsequent law enforcement officials, and hear the gunfire on the audio.
Some of the scenes ripping my soul apart as I watched the video.
THIS TRAGEDY COULD HAVE ENDED OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL.
I had originally entered some information that a law enforcement officer had seen the shooter outside the school and did not engage.
I learned after posting that this did not occur. It was Fake News.
THE INITIAL RESPONSE INSIDE THE SCHOOL
Once ensued, the security camera shows the shooter walking in a hallway, entering a classroom at the far end of the hallway, then multiple shots are heard. A statement appears saying the perpetrator fired 200 rounds in two and one-half minutes.
The video then shows the initial quick, law enforcement response. Three or four Officers then approached the classroom, guns drawn. This was entirely appropriate and consistent with what I understand their training taught them.
HEARTBREAK
Apparently, the gunman fired through the wall and the law enforcement officers scamper back down the hallway WHERE THEY REMAINED FOR OVER AN HOUR without attempting to engage.
I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I am in those law enforcement officers.
Why they did not attempt to engage immediately after the initial engagement boggles my mind.
ANOTHER HEARTBREAKING MOMENT
In another part of the 77-minute video, you see an officer take out his cell phone. Later, you learn the call is from his dying wife who is one of the slain teachers.
In one of the body cams videos released on Sunday, you hear him asking other officers to engage. I learned he had been disarmed.
COMMENTARY
I recommend you do not watch this video unless you want your soul ripped out of your heart.
When the incident occurred, I had relied upon news reports. Like everyone else, I was horrified.
After watching the video, I felt someone had gut-punched me and ripped my soul asunder.
I felt shame for the inaction of the law enforcement officers.
My soul became even sicker as I watched EVIL, armed with an AR-15, walk down the hall of that school and enter the classroom. Then shots rang out.
I do know I will never be the same after watching the videos but will not rest until I can find a course of action that will help prevent this kind of calamity from happening again.
Will you join me in trying to find the answer?
Thank you for reading.
Ed