It was just a normal shopping day for Glendon Oakly. He was shopping for a sports jersey at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas when a child ran into the store yelling that someone was shooting.
But no one paid any attention to the child, even though he was warning that there was gunfire being shot nearby.
President Trump has ordered that the flags be flown half-mast as CNN news reports, “at least 20 people are dead and 26 injured” after a shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas. The suspect is in custody and has been charged with capital murder.
A CNN reporter interviews Glendon Oakly, a witness at the shooting, who explained the situation,
“The little kid ran in there and was telling us it’s an active shooter in Walmart, but we didn’t pay him no attention because, for one, he was just a little kid.”
He went on to say that others in the store, “just didn’t pay him no mind” as the child was running and warning the people around him.
The people in the mall went about their business.
About five to seven minutes went by as Glendon checked out and began walking towards the next store. Then he heard two gunshots. They were coming from Walmart right next door.
The people around him started running and screaming. That’s when, as a specialist in the United States Army, Oakly’s training kicked into high gear.
“Think fast, take cover, and do whatever you can.”
Immediately, his instinct was to help the children get to safety as quickly as possible.
Several people began running out of the store and his thought was to guard them and do what he can to protect those around him.
Then he saw a group of 13 children running without their parents. He thought “pick up as many kids as you can.” Oakly’s focus was entirely on the children, saying that “he wasn’t too worried about himself”.
He and another gentleman nearby scooped up as many children as they both could. Putting his head down, holding the children tight, and running as fast as he could, Oakly and the other gentleman, carried the children to safety.
Recalling the scenario, Oakly says that he wasn’t expecting this to happen, but his reaction to help those around him was “something you can’t explain”. His training equipped him with the knowledge and foresight to help those around him get to safety.
Tales of heroism are the bright spots of encouragement we need when we hear of these terrible events. But at times like this, you can’t help but think that if someone had listened to the child’s early warnings, could more lives have been saved?
Commentators on Youtube are asking the same questions:
Joyce Nelson: “People need to listen to you kids because that little kid could have saved a lot of people…”
No FriendShrimps: “That little kid could have saved 20 lives”
In times like these, may we remember to thank those who sacrifice for others and be grateful for the loved ones around us.
Listen to the hero who came to the rescue.
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