Workplace Shooting in Virginia Beach
I work at the Virginia Beach courthouse. You may know it from CNN today; an active shooter walked in as we (as a collective municipal center) were getting ready to leave or leaving and opened fire. I work in the actual courthouse, the safest building there. We have judges who are under constant security from the Sheriff’s Deputies. As soon as we went into lockdown, we had a deputy on every entrance with a rifle. As long as we stayed clear of windows we were safe.
The people in the Public Works building? Not so much. We knew more than the news outlets did (even though one news outlet was there on a different story and actually heard the shots) because we were getting texts from people inside the building where the shooting was happening.
I honestly can’t remember the name of the shooter, even though it was told to me multiple times. He was a former employee, fired this morning. Because he worked in one of the lesser security buildings, they didn’t take his badge immediately, or so we’ve been told. He walked in this afternoon and just started shooting.
At least six people are dead. We knew that fifteen minutes after we went into lockdown. Multiple others injured, including an Officer who was trying to protect other people who was shot in the stomach and a woman airlifted to Norfolk General on a Nightengale helicopter who was shot in the face.
They’re saying the shooter is in custody on the news. He’s not in custody; he’s dead. I know this and others don’t, because I was closer to the epicenter of this tragedy, and I know people there.
I know people who work in that building. Some of whom may be dead.
My first call was to my second job. My GM picked up. “Thank god you answered cause I didn’t want to have to work up the chain. I may be a little late to work. The courthouse is on lockdown with an active shooter at the municipal center.”
My second call was to my mom. “First thing; I’m fine. Second thing; the courthouse is on lockdown. There’s an active shooter.”
I haven’t stopped shaking since I first heard the words Active Shooter and No One Leaves This Office.
I’ve been fielding calls and texts and Facebook messages from people I haven’t talked to in months who know I work at the courthouse.
They released our building (the actual courthouse) at five thirty, an hour and fifteen minutes after the shooter began firing. I walked up to my second job, looked at my manager, and said, “I have to go home. I can’t do this right now.”
I just turned on the news. Eleven dead, six injured. Shooter also dead. The officer was saved by his vest.
I’m going to go have a breakdown now.
