GA - Shots fired at Decatur elementary school, 20 Aug 2013

[gitana1]

Not sure it was exactly like that. A woman saw the man and overheard him as she left the building. He said something to the effect of "I am not here to harm any students or faculty, I want you to call the police".

Oddly she left and was driving home (without having called 911) when she heard the shots being fired.

Regardless if her statements are true he did NOT go there intending to commit mass murder, he specifically said that from the get go.

Whoa, seriously? Seriously? I can't say I'm surprised some will try to diminish this incredible lady's heroism but I admit it really, deeply saddens me. It is a sad testament to what and who we hold important in our nation, frankly.

For goodness sake, the man actually shot at officers who shot back. How the heck can anyone say he wasn't intending to harm anyone? Oh, and is Antoinette Tuff a liar then? Because she said the shooter immediately told her he came in purposefully knowing he was going to die that day and take lives with him. That a direct quote from her.

What about all those videos and photos of kids streaming out of the school in a panic and cops swarming, was that just for fun? Because the guy who went in the building armed, shot into the floor and then shot at police officers, obviously meant no harm and didn't alarm anyone such that some employees actually casually went home after seeing him, not even bothering to call 911 because he assured them that even though he was totally armed and deranged, he meant no harm?

Can you please link to the information that a staffer was so unconcerned about an armed man with 500 rounds of ammunition that she casually left and didn't even call police because he assured everyone he wasn't going to hurt anybody?

This man held two staffers hostage. He walked into an elementary school armed with an assault rifle amd 500 rounds. He shot into the floor to, according to Ms. Tuff, let them know he was serious. He shot at officers at least six times. But a man like that, if he says he is not there to hurt children and halfway into the ordeal says he didnt mean harm, are we supposed to take such a man's word for it?

I'm really so sad right now.

 

[gitana1]

She is a true hero. I might imagine everyone is relieved there is nothing to talk about and that is why there is no discussion on this thread. I'm originally from Connecticut so the Newtown tragedy is always in my thoughts as we had friends with children in that school. Thanks for bringing this thread up to the top. jmo

I think that's wishful thinking, Lambchop, about why no one seems to be talking on Websleuths about a story that has been discussed repeatedly on CNN (so I know people are aware of it).

I've been on Websleuths a long time. One page of comments. That's it. We get way more comments on cute animal or funny kid stories on a consistent basis than we have on such a profound, awe-inspiring story about a real hero. A woman who used love and faith and calm and wisdom to talk down a madman, all the while quaking in her boots.

We spend days, even months discussing the Motivations of mass murderers and school
Shooters. We spend hours upon hours upon hours discussing school safety issues in the wake of such stories. But we can't manage more than about a dozen comments here?

Perhaps neither Ms. Tuff, nor her fellow employees nor the beautiful children she saved are important enough to bother about. Now I wonder why that could be?

 

[Sulamith]

From: MSNBC

"She did all the things we try to teach negotiators,” said Clint van Zandt, former FBI profiler and hostage negotiator, on NewsNation Thursday. “She was a great ‘go-between,’ she identified with the aggressor, she offered help, she minimized what he had done, she helped develop a surrender ritual, she told him what to expect, and told the police what to expect, she offered love, said she was proud of him, she offered him a positive future–every one of those things is something we spend weeks teaching negotiators, and this lady did it intuitively.”

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/08/22/how-to-train-a-hero-what-schools-can-learn-from-antoinette-tuff/

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

I heard excerpts of the 911 call this morning and it brought me to tears! This lady is incredible - talk about composure!

Here's a link if anyone wants to listen:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/08/2...oxnews/national+(Internal+-+US+Latest+-+Text)

 

[i.b.nora]

Anderson Cooper's entire show tonight was devoted to an interview with Antoinette and he also brought on (to surprise her) the dispatcher that she talked with and who also helped to facilitate the outcome. Great show! I think it repeats.

 

[gitana1]

I heard excerpts of the 911 call this morning and it brought me to tears! This lady is incredible - talk about composure!

Here's a link if anyone wants to listen:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/08/2...oxnews/national+(Internal+-+US+Latest+-+Text)

Me too! I kept tearing up listening. They played the whole thing on CNN. She's just a really beautiful person.

Anderson Cooper was so cool talking to her today. He kept saying, "I wish I could talk to you when things get dark. I love to hear you say "baby". I wish someone would talk to me like that when I was feeling down".

I know what he means!! She's great. I just love her!

 

[gitana1]

Anderson Cooper's entire show tonight was devoted to an interview with Antoinette and he also brought on (to surprise her) the dispatcher that she talked with and who also helped to facilitate the outcome. Great show! I think it repeats.

It was so cool! I just watched parts of it. The dispatcher was astounded with this lady. I often wonder how I would respond in such a horrible situation. One can only imagine.

On a side note and irrelevant I guess, both ladies are so pretty. And Antionette must be about 50 or close to I'm guessing if she was married for 35 years. But so young lookIng and such a bright smile!

 

[gitana1]

By the way, do we know how this mentally I'll man with a criminal record including terroristic threats against his brother, I believe, got his hands on 500 rounds and an assault rifle?

 

[gitana1]

Still so quiet in here. Such a shame.

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

I finally got to hear the whole 911 in its entirety and this woman just was amazing. She was simply amazing. Talk about grace under pressure. She Made me think of things that I freak out over and really are no big deal and yet she handled this situation in which every breath could have been her last like a super hero.

She is amazing. Truly amazing.

 

[gitana1]

By the way, do we know how this mentally I'll man with a criminal record including terroristic threats against his brother, I believe, got his hands on 500 rounds and an assault rifle?

Apparently this guy was arrested at age 15 for burglary and last March for terroristic threats for which he was convicted and has a host of medical or mental issues. But ready access to firearms and ammunition? http://www.heavy.com/news/2013/08/michael-brandon-hill-georgia-school-shooting/

 

[i.b.nora]

According to one of the items at the Heavy.com link:

DeKalb PD: Hill obtained weapon from house of an acquaintance. We are attempting to locate that person. #mcnairshooting #wsbtv
10:54 AM - 21 Aug 2013

 

[gitana1]

According to one of the items at the Heavy.com link:

DeKalb PD: Hill obtained weapon from house of an acquaintance. We are attempting to locate that person. #mcnairshooting #wsbtv
10:54 AM - 21 Aug 2013

So now we know. So strange. Who just allows a friend to borrow their firearm? Especially a sick one. Does that happen if people aren't on a hunting trip?

Only one time has anyone I've known even offered that. My uncle told me he'd lend me a gun on long road trips. But he's my family and he knew I wasn't crazy (well, not too crazy!) Anyone?

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Lengthy article in the Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ispatcher-stayed-phone-terrifying-ordeal.html

"Hero book-keeper who talked down Georgia school shooter reunited with 911 dispatcher who stayed on phone with her during terrifying ordeal"

 

[Flossie JMO]

Ms. Antoinette Tuff is absolutely incredible, a true hero, and so very brave and quick thinking. I would have been terrified and unable to function. I am so very impressed, and thankful. While she can never be thanked enough for what she did, I hope she has a wonderful happy and safe future. I also hope lessons learned by her amazing actions will be shared and included in schools and others emergency training and applied when possible in God forbid future incidents.

 

[FrayedKnot]

Antoinette Tuff just brightened my day. I hadn't had the chance to hear her or see her until this morning when I had a few extra minutes to watch CNN. What a remarkable lady!

 

[Flossie JMO]

http://www.people.com/people/mobile/article/0,,20727698,00.html

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Cool! Fox News just covered this story again....President Obama called Ms. Tuff last night to congratulate her.

Glad she's receiving recognition. What an amazing lady - I choke up every time I hear snippets of that 911 call!

 

[sayd]

This woman was amazing. I think she is my hero of the year!!!! I posted the link to the full 911 call last night on Facebook and only one person liked it. What is wrong with people?

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Daily Main:

"Georgia school shooter once burned down family home and tried to stab mother"

Tim Hill, brother of Michael Hill said his brother was a normal kid until his teen years

Hill said he was discouraged that authorities hadn't done more to help his brother before the near-tragedy

Hill expressed disappointment that President Obama drew attention to the heroics of Antoinette Tuff and not the plight of those with mental disorders


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Michael-Hill-normal-teens.html#ixzz2cpqCm1GF