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I experienced an incident at a business this week that put me very close to a dangerous situation. Without revealing the time or location, I was at a local business this week, in the lobby, waiting for someone when I spot 2 security guards attempting to escort a man from the building. From the look of him, he was most likely homeless. He had been found deep inside the business in a secured office space. As they were escorting him out, they weren't touching him, just telling him repeatedly that it was time for him to leave. The closer they got to the door, the more agitated he became.

As it started to escalate, I moved to a more concealed position and nearer to a spot where I could keep an eye on what was going on. He was refusing to leave and it was clear he wasn't going to go easily. About that time, my appointment showed up and we were greeting each other - which got my attention temporarily away from this guy. Well, in that very short time, it escalated very quickly and we were suddenly all escorted out of the lobby into a side office and locked in as we see more security guards running to the scene very quickly.

As it turned out, he had a weapon. I don't know what kind, but the response was very quick. As we're in this room, I'm looking around. There is a large window and a door that wouldn't take much to get through. As this new location took us out of eyesight and earshot of the situation, we had no idea what was going on once they closed the door. Just a lot of commotion.

The place they put us, unfortunately, did not have another exit. Not so brilliant thinking on their part if you ask me - they just locked us in a confined location with no other means of escape. What would have happened if he had a gun and came our way? I have to say that the idea of fish in a barrel crossed my mind.

Thankfully it was over fairly quickly and the police arrived to take the man away. Bonus points to the security guards that got this guy taken down before the police arrived.

I was carrying that day, and glad that I was. I never put my hand to my gun, there was no reason to. But while others were just milling about wondering what to do, I was planning ahead should the worst happen. In the end, I was happy to know I had that option should it come down to it, and that helped me to feel a bit safer and a bit more in control of my own personal safety.

How about you folks? I know we occasionally discuss this, but how close have you come to a situation like this where you were in close proximity to someone wielding a weapon?
 
My only critique is allowing someone to escort you straight to a dead end.
I'd recommend not doing that if you know where the nearest exit is.
IMO it's better to be mobile and outside with unlimited routes of escape.
Other than that good job paying attention to your surroundings and being aware. That's what makes the difference between victims and survivors.
 
Unfortunately, I didn't know the building, nor the area they were pushing us to go. It was only after we were in there that I was able to look around and see that there wasn't another exit. I personally don't think they handled the situation very well. Where I was standing though, the only other direction would have put us in the line of site of the bad guy, and that wouldn't have been ideal either. Situational awareness is something we all need to have. I was aware of what was happening, but not knowing the building, it put me at a disadvantage.
 
My only critique is allowing someone to escort you straight to a dead end.
I'd recommend not doing that if you know where the nearest exit is.
IMO it's better to be mobile and outside with unlimited routes of escape.
Other than that good job paying attention to your surroundings and being aware. That's what makes the difference between victims and survivors.

Good idea. Let them know that you'll be exiting the building instead. Ask for directions/escort to an exit far from the incident and tell your appointment that you'll call to reschedule for later in the day if possible.
 
In hindsight, that makes sense. In the heat of the moment, it didn't occur to me. I suppose that's just a good reminder to mentally prepare yourself for the variety of situations you may encounter and the variety of ways you may be able to find an escape route. It certainly brought to light how very quickly something like this can happen, and how little time you have to respond.
 
In hindsight, that makes sense. In the heat of the moment, it didn't occur to me. I suppose that's just a good reminder to mentally prepare yourself for the variety of situations you may encounter and the variety of ways you may be able to find an escape route. It certainly brought to light how very quickly something like this can happen, and how little time you have to respond.

I'd probably have been in that room too. Now that it's come up, I'll probably think of it just as they turn the lock.
 
I'd probably have been in that room too. Now that it's come up, I'll probably think of it just as they turn the lock.

Thankfully there's an opportunity to learn from this, and maybe remind others that going with the flow of the crowd may not necessarily be the best way to go. I honestly didn't think about the area we were directed to having a second exit until after we were there. I'm glad I can think about that and perhaps plan better next time. I'm always happy to have a chance to learn, and share that with others.
 
In hindsight, that makes sense. In the heat of the moment, it didn't occur to me. I suppose that's just a good reminder to mentally prepare yourself for the variety of situations you may encounter and the variety of ways you may be able to find an escape route. It certainly brought to light how very quickly something like this can happen, and how little time you have to respond.
Thats always the way it happens. It's only after that you think of all the things you should've done.
That's the point of learning from your mistakes.
You know how many times I've had one of those, "oops I just f'd up" moments? Lol.
I'll bet you never do it again, lol.
 
Thats always the way it happens. It's only after that you think of all the things you should've done.
That's the point of learning from your mistakes.
You know how many times I've had one of those, "oops I just f'd up" moments? Lol.
I'll bet you never do it again, lol.

I'll bet you're right ;)
 
Thanks for sharing. Besides having this happen to myself and learning first hand like you (etrain) did, hearing about situations like this just makes me think of situations and possibilities.

Glad it was handled quickly.
 
Its easy to QB the situation if it isnt you, in the rush of things I can see myself getting lead to what I thought would be an exit, only to be a room with none.

This experiance does help!
I'll just make sure I tell them I'm leaving the way I came in.

To control the situation rather than put my life in the hands of others. Good info.

Kudos for being alert!!
 
Its easy to QB the situation if it isnt you, in the rush of things I can see myself getting lead to what I thought would be an exit, only to be a room with none.

This experiance does help!
I'll just make sure I tell them I'm leaving the way I came in.

To control the situation rather than put my life in the hands of others. Good info.

Kudos for being alert!!

Unfortunately, the way I came in was right where security was dealing with him, so that wasn't an ideal option. But, I'm sure there were other options around - I just went with the direction being given to us. After going through this though, I'm hopefully going to be more aware of another option. I find it's pretty rare not to have an alternate exit in a building, and I'm sure there were some in this case - I think we were victims of a little panic on the part of the staff and we just got herded.

I got a real sense that day of how the 'crowd' just kind of moves together. It's kind of creepy how easy it was to move everyone in one particular direction. I don't know if that's necessarily a very good thing :eek:

I'm glad you and the other folks find the story useful, that's what I was hoping for when I posted it.
 
Unfortunately, the way I came in was right where security was dealing with him, so that wasn't an ideal option. But, I'm sure there were other options around - I just went with the direction being given to us. After going through this though, I'm hopefully going to be more aware of another option. I find it's pretty rare not to have an alternate exit in a building, and I'm sure there were some in this case - I think we were victims of a little panic on the part of the staff and we just got herded.

I'm glad you and the other folks find the story useful, that's what I was hoping for when I posted it.
Very insightful! Really.
Panic of others, unknown location and the heat of a situation can really turn a person around. If the primary exit was blocked I agree that one should demand or "suggest" we venture to the nearest alternate exit.

I have no doubt you would have layed the smackdown on a potential shooter! Glad it didnt get to that though.
 
After being in a wheelchair for 15 years (no longer), the first thing I'd look for is a second exit. I would not necessarily have been locked in that room. On the other hand, if I was, I'd have been away from the door and tried to be off by myself so I had a chance to react before I was spotted.
 
Thats always the way it happens. It's only after that you think of all the things you should've done.
That's the point of learning from your mistakes.
You know how many times I've had one of those, "oops I just f'd up" moments? Lol.
I'll bet you never do it again, lol.

Seems to be my default learning technique.


Usually there's no real shame in that, it's just doing it repeadedly on the same thing that'll make you a (dead) dumdum. ;)
 

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