Oklahoma Native Talks About Oregon Mall Shooting

A gunman opens fire inside a busy mall in Oregon killing two people and then himself. An Oklahoma native witnessed the shooting rampage and calls it a situation you can never prepare for.   

"There are people bailing out like crazy from everywhere," as shoppers made calls to police Amber Solomon, a Tulsa native worked to get people out of the mall.

"We all looked at each other and then I was like, ‘Get out of the store.'"

Via Skype, Solomon describes surviving the shooting. She works just five stores away from where the gunman opened fire.

"Terrifying, you just don't where he's at cause it echoes throughout the entire mall."   

Solomon explains the fear when she heard the gunshots.

"No one prepares you for something like this. We have emergency plans for fires or maybe terrorist threats, but nothing like this."  

Brett Key with the Shepherd Security Group developed a training course in active-shooter preparedness.

"If you formulate a plan in your head and you are aware of the surrounding the best case scenario you leave and get out of the situation before it happens," said Key.

Key and other members of law enforcement teach that the first step is to recognize it can happen to you. Then identify the exits and find places to hide in the event of a shooting.

"If you can get behind a solid wall, that is the best case scenario, something that will stop a bullet," Key said.

Key says if your company does not offer an emergency plan formulate one of your own. After the real life experience, Amber Solomon agrees with the advice.

"I hope it never happens to anyone, but just remain aware of your surroundings."

If you would like to learn more about Active Shooter Preparedness, call the Shepherd Security Group at (405) 509-4036 or (918) 304-9021.