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| Image from Microsoft Word, edited in Picnik. |
I started
hearing the helicopters circling our neighborhood about 5:00 am Monday morning.
My husband left for work about 6:30 but then returned just as my son was to get
on the bus. He informed me that there were several police cars in the area and
he suspected that they were on the hunt for someone or something. I wanted my almost 15-year-old son to wait in the car with me as we watched for the bus but he told me I was silly for worrying. I didn't really think he was in danger but I also didn't like the idea of him standing outside by himself. After my son got on the bus, I left for school. I arrived at 7:05 and the
director of the before school child care program met me at the door. There were
no other teachers in the building. She told me that there had been an armed robbery
at a nearby Sunoco station and the police were looking for the suspect. Armed . . .
meaning gun. How could this have happened so close to my school,
so close to my home? I couldn't imagine ever being so desperate as to wave a gun in someone's face and demand money. How would I feel if I had been the clerk behind the cash register? Later in the day, details about the suspect were reported: white,
male, early 60’s, 5’ 8”, 200 lbs, beard stubble, wearing dark clothes. The police
have not found him yet but they don’t believe he is still in the area, whatever
that means. So if he isn't around here, where is he?
Circling helicopters are never a good sign. That sounds like a scary situation. I'm glad you watched until your son got on the bus.
ReplyDeleteScary--I was scared for you. Elsie is right. Circling helicopters are never a good thing.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary, to wonder where he is. We've had a number of crimes near us recently & it makes you be a little more cautious for sure. I sometimes think it's the economy's challenges talking. I'm glad you waited with your son, no matter the protest.
ReplyDeleteScary start to your day. Hard to believe we are so vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteWoah, what a way to start your day. It's scary to think that he could still be around somewhere. I'm glad to hear that you and your family were ok.
ReplyDeleteScary. I hope that the robber will be caught before anything worse happens.
ReplyDeleteThis certainly is a slice of life today. I seem to hear more and more about things like this--someone losing control and we all suffer. I'm glad schools do have procedures in place to protect their students. One day at a time, appreciating each day that all is safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteOh dear...I'll be checking in to see how things went. So very scary indeed.
ReplyDeleteugh! That's not a good feeling. I hope everything turns out ok.
ReplyDeleteIt truly says something about your character the way you reflect on this news. You immediately empathize with the people directly involved. Many of us would focus only on how it might affect our lives directly without thinking of those others- including the gun man. Although this is scary news, your post somehow leaves me feeling good about the world and the people in it- the compassionate people like you.
ReplyDeleteMy heart skipped a beat for you.
ReplyDeleteHow scary. I live in a tiny community, very low crime. We had a hold up at our local bank two years ago. Our school had to go on lockdown. They eventually caught the guy two weeks later. I remember talking to another teacher in my building when we were in the lockdown - we both felt violated. It was such a scary time and trying to behave "normally" while teaching was tough. Best of luck to you. Hope they catch him soon.
ReplyDeleteI too love how you wondered about how this could happen so close to home, to your school, but then your thoughts & empathy went to the clerk in the gas station! I agree with Christy, it says so much about you, your kindness, your compassion! Hope they have caught the person now, I can't help but think that people are truly hurting in these tough times & are becoming desperate, which saddens me!
ReplyDeleteWe had that experience a month ago - but in the middle of the night. I don't know, does daylight make it any better?
ReplyDeleteYikes, so scary! We had a similar situation two years ago and we were in lockdown at school. It's amazing to think about how many lives were affected because of one man. Brings back so many feelings. I hope the police arrest him and soon.
ReplyDeleteI've had a helicopter circle overhead (of my home) once. It was the scariest thing ever. There was a fugitive on the loose. He never surfaced. But I have to tell you, there are many times I think about that day. It's hard to shake that.
ReplyDeleteI hope the perpetrator is caught so you can go back to normal life soon.
Fear and desperation. Your observations about the situation I think were on target. Unfortunately the gunman caused more fear and desperation to many other innocent people because of his actions. I am glad you and your family are safe. Your writing captured the feelings very well. The layers of your thought processing drew me in.
ReplyDeleteFear and desperation. Your observations about the situation I think were on target. Unfortunately the gunman caused more fear and desperation to many other innocent people because of his actions. I am glad you and your family are safe. Your writing captured the feelings very well. The layers of your thought processing drew me in.
ReplyDeleteIt is always nerve racking when terrible things happen so close. It brings everyday realities, that must be pushed into the back of our minds for sanity's sake, right to the forefront. They are always uncomfortable and scary feelings.
ReplyDeleteWhen things like this happen it's always unnerving. I don't know why people do horrible things. Sometimes I try not to think about tragic news because that seems to be all that we hear in the news on a day to day basis. Your son is brave. We need more of that in the world.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the circling helicopters never being a good sign. I can't help but wonder what circumstances drove a man in his 60s to that point.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is so scary. I hate how instances like this shake the sense of security we have.
ReplyDelete