Shooter, Part I
by Michael Bradburn

The call for help went out. Shots fired at the local high school. Officers raced to the scene as updates continued to come about an active shooter on the campus. Many questions raced threw their minds. Where is the shooter, how many are there, how many have been shot?

As they arrived, a common goal was amongst them. Stop the shooter!  Racing across the campus, they were united with a brother officer who was off duty at the time. He reported hearing many gunshots and had been seeking out the shooter.

Moving across the campus, they were directed by frantic students screaming and pointing. Looking around as they moved, one sight became too common. Students down that had been shot. Who could do such a thing?

Narrowing in, they were directed to a bathroom. Looking inside they found a small, frail looking student. This frail looking student was armed with a handgun and was in the process of reloading. Rushing in without care for their safety, this shooter was taken into custody. No more would loose their lives this day.

As this was happening, other officers began the evacuation of the screaming, terrified students. A shopping center across the street was the safe location. Swat teams and K9's arrived to assist. Scores of officers from outside commands and allied agencies arrived to assist.  Helicopters were overhead. One by one the students were removed at gunpoint. Was there a second shooter? Nobody knew.

Chaos filled the area. Auto accidents and parents rushing to the school to see if their loved one was ok. News crews lined the streets and filled the sky. Lifeflight began landing on the campus to evacuate the wounded. Two would loose their lives that day, and nineteen other would be wounded.

Over and over the same question would be asked by all. Why, why could this happen at our school?

Lives were surely saved that day by the brave men and women in blue.