Hostage In The Middle Of Norman Standoff Speaks Out

For the first time News 9 is hearing from the hostage who sat with a gunman for over four hours.

Jennifer Shokat says she went from frightened to feeling at ease, as Devin Rogers was in a standoff with police. Speaking with this young mother of two, it was clear that for those four hours, what was going on outside the building was much different than inside.

"I have a gunman who has an employee taking him to the second floor," said one 911 caller.

While 911 calls poured in the scene outside reflected the urgency and concern of the voices on the phone.

"There's a gunman in the building, get out," said another 911 caller.

“I think that's gun fire Oh God, can I go please?" said one 911 caller.

And when shots were fired, that's when Jennifer Shokat came face to face with the gunman.

"I was hoping he hadn't seen me and I heard him walking on the glass and he said ‘Ma'am, stand up I know you're there. Please stand up,'" said Shokat, the hostage in the Norman standoff.

Rogers had shot the glass out of the door that separated him from Shokat. He also knew she wasn't alone, so he took her to an adjacent office and threatened to kill her if the two other hostages didn't come out of the their room.

"I was pleading and crying and saying, ‘Please I have two kids,'" said Shokat.

11/10/2014 Related Story: Norman Hostage Situation Ends Peacefully, Suspect In Custody

But the men didn't move.

"That's probably the scariest moment," said Shokat.

Rogers then took Shokat.

"He just told me to sit, he was very courteous, very polite," said Shokat.

Once alone, Rogers allowed Shokat to use her phone while the two continued to talk books, politics and the war in Iraq. Rogers even joked with her and the police at times. But she felt his humor was just a vail to hide emotional damage.

"I didn't feel scared anymore at that point. I just felt ‘What happened to this guy? What happened that brought him here?'" said Shokat,

Rogers also told Shokat he was a decorated veteran that no longer was a benefit to society and he only wanted to go to jail on his terms.

"I've said before, I don't think he's a bad guy. I think he's a broken one," said Shokat.

And she would keep that mindset if she were to see Rogers again.

"I would say, ‘I don't hold this against you. I bid you no ill will.'… I hope he gets the help he needs," said Shokat.

Shokat also mentioned throughout the whole ordeal, Rogers continuously apologized to her for putting her in that situation. Shokat says the law firm she works for is letting her take her time to get back to work.