On September 11, 2014, what was supposed to be a day of normal routines and a day of remembering 9/11/01, quickly became of day of panic, anxiety, worry, and even fear.
Around 1:45pm, I was getting ready to go pick up my carpool group from school. I remember hearing siren, after siren, after siren. I remember thinking that there must be something big happening! Then, as I was leaving for the school, I noticed a couple cops on my street but, didn't think anything of it. Shortly after that, I got a call from my neighbor asking what was going on. She said that she was pulling into her driveway and the cop waved her in quickly but, then she saw him pulling out a very big rifle from his car and putting on a bullet-proof vest. I had NO IDEA what was going on! Soon after that, I received a text from GWA (George Washington Academy, where my kids go to school). In the text it said: "GWA is currently in a LOCK OUT due to a safety issue in the area. No one will be allowed in until further notice." I immediately became very nervous so, I called Mike to see if he knew anything. He didn't yet. However, I got on FB and saw a post about there being a robbery at a Zions Bank on River Rd. and the robber had taken 2 hostages and fled. Apparently, he was out there trying to escape. The scary part was that he had loaded weapons on him and had been shooting at the officers the entire time. In fact, the school down the street from me has bullets on their building and windows. So, he ended up out in Washington Fields (which is right behind me and goes all the way out near my kid's school) and they were trying to find him. They had the Washington & St. George city police departments, as well as S.W.A.T, Dept. of Homeland Security, and National Guard out looking for him. They had set up a perimeter, which included the river just down the street from my house. So, we were only allowed to a certain point and there were 3 helicopters hovering over our house and the surrounding areas.
Anyway, I went ahead and headed over to Connor & Rylie's school, hoping they would be let out soon. In the meantime, I turned on a scanner app. on my phone and listened! It was very intense and interesting to listen. We waited in the carpool line for about 1 hr. 15 min. and then received another text from GWA saying: "If you are GWA waiting in line, please return home until you receive a reunification text or email." We all sat there but, eventually people started to leave. I was very torn about whether or not to leave but, I was so anxious inside that sitting there wasn't doing any good. Plus, I was sick to my stomach from the anxiety and would need a bathroom ASAP. My only choice was using the bushes (NO WAY!!!!) or heading home. So, we left. I felt SO BAD, like I was abandoning my kids! Corie was so upset, asking why we were leaving the kids. When we got home, there were still policeman everywhere and still saw the helicopters. I would look outside once in a while, to see what was going on. The scanner had gone silent so, we could no longer follow what was going on at that point. However, they were giving updates over the radio. Then, I remember going to look outside and noticed the cops and helicopters were gone. We then learned that they had found him and they ended up shooting and killing the suspect. (Bank Robber Fatally Shot)
Previous to this, they started to let schools out, one by one, starting with the ones that were furthest from the area the suspect was hiding. There had to be policemen there to assist. GWA ended up being the last school. Our school is a pick-up-only school so, they had to go about things differently. First, they began letting kids out alphabetically. Eventually, they let all the kids come out at once. It was around 6:15pm before I finally found Connor and Rylie. I felt much like I have felt being at the airport, when a missionary returns home! I was giddy, anxious, excited, and couldn't wait to see my kids!!!!! First, I saw Connor and just hugged him. Of course, he was so curious as to what happened and wanted all the details. Then, we found Rylie standing by her teacher. She was fine and seemed good, which surprised me. I say this because last year they had done a lock-down drill and it really scared her. Since then, she prays nearly every day that there won't every be a lock down. So, when this happened, I was VERY WORRIED as to how she was doing. The kids were starving so, we picked up Mike and went to dinner to make things easier, since it had been a long day already. The kids talked non-stop about the robbery, etc. and after a while it got to me and I asked them to stop talking about it. I just don't think it was a good idea to keep talking about it. We put the kids to bed that night and I was so grateful I had them home with me and completely safe and unharmed. What I was afraid of with Rylie came to pass. She could not sleep and was scared to death. Finally, around 2am or 3am, she fell asleep in my bed with me. She still worries and panics about it. Hopefully I can make her feel safe and ok soon. I also learned the difference between a LOCK OUT and a LOCK DOWN! I didn't even know there was a difference!
What an experience that day was. I was so nervous, scared, worried, anxious, and it was so hard wondering how and when it would end. I mostly just wanted to know that my kids were ok and not scared out of their minds. GWA did an AMAZING job at keeping us updated and letting us know what was going on. My kids came out happy, fine, and not worried and I thank the teacher's for that!!!! Sure, there were things that could've been done better but, this was a learning experience for everyone. Hopefully this never happens again. That day made me appreciate those that put their lives on the line for us everyday more than ever before. We are truly blessed by so many brave men and women, with or without the badge, that go above and beyond to keep us safe. So many people seem to have nothing but criticism for that that lead and protect us, but who do we call when the going gets tough? Thank you to those brave men and women that protect and serve!!!
As for the man that made this all come to pass, honestly, I feel very sad for him and for his family! Yes, what he did was very wrong and it affected SO MANY people! That I agree to and I agree he needed to answer to that. However, I feel sad that it got to a point to where they had to shoot and fatally end things for him. I feel sad that things got to a point in his life that he thought this was his only way out. I pray for him and for his family! From the posts I read about him, he seemed like a fun, loving, caring man. Life just got too tough for him and eventually led to his demise. Obituary of the Suspect/Robber
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