I received a text at 12:39 p.m. from my child who was in the UTC library, stating, “School Shooter”. I went cold, but tried to jump into action. As I was hustling out the door of my office texting that I was on my way, she texted “We’re Ok. With police”. She was in the library. She advised that the school was on lockdown and the police were directing the group she was with to a safe place. Shortly thereafter I learned she was with friends at a dorm as instructed by police, but I could not go pick her up due to the lockdown.
Unable to act, I could only pray. More than ten minutes later I received the first alert that UTC was locked down. The Chattanoogan then posted that there were reports of a “[p]ossible active shooter in the University Center or Library. Run. Hide. Fight”.
Sitting in my office, useless and unable to help, I was fully immersed in the moment. My faith in my Lord and Savior gave me a sense of peace and calm.
I also felt overwhelming gratitude to our police officers. They were still responding to the threat, but it was such a relief that my oldest was with the police and they were directing her to safety.
Few professionals are trained to run toward an active shooter rather than to retreat to safety. Other than the military, law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders, we generally take the first steps of running away and hiding from such danger. Like many parents, I felt the need to do something. But, what would I have been able to do if I did arrive on scene? My military training, last actively used some time ago, would have been of little, if any help. I would have been more of a liability to the trained professionals who responded.
I viewed video of the police response from the vantage point of an upper level of the parking garage on Mocs Alumni Drive. Officers and first responders were pouring in and literally running to the potential threat. Why did these men and women run to a possible shooter to potentially face gunfire? Why are these men and women, who also have loved ones, many have precious children of their own, why are they rushing to protect my precious child and all the others who were facing harm?
Is it because they took an oath to serve and protect? Yes, but there has to be more. Are they fearless? No, I know better than that. But, they are willing to put the fear behind them to do their jobs. There is something inside of those people that causes them to put the safety and well-being of others before their own. Protecting their team, protecting their community, protecting their country. My brother is retired law enforcement. I have never asked him. I do not think he would appreciate the question.
Whatever the answer, I am eternally grateful. Thank you for taking care of my child and all of those other people at UTC. Thank you for running into the face of danger. My student felt safe when she knew you were on the scene. And, so did I! I pray for you and yours! And thank God it appears to have been a false alarm.
Scott Davis