General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Has anyone here ever witnessed a shooting? [View all]sarisataka
(22,203 posts)mostly in combat, one suicide- I was outside the window, heard it but did not see, drive by in the neighborhood on Easter morning.
what were your feelings?- immediately, assess threat, take action for safety. Later- often anger, why did it have to happen? what made the shooter choose to do what they did?
Was there a sense of fear?- not at the time. In my case adrenaline overrides fear; later you shake like a leaf, maybe puke for good measure. I have seen reactions from paralyzing fear, to panic, to almost nothing.
What was your first reaction?- take cover, assess situation
What was going through your head, both when it took place and afterwards?- mentally analyze the sound to confirm it is gunfire, then look to fight or flight, what is required for the situation. Afterwards, the reality sets in, of having just been in a potentially lethal situation. Talking to people who understand, vets mostly for me, or a professional can really help the brain organize thoughts and feelings. PTSD is often subtle to come on and can be delayed quite a long time.
Your description of the sounds are spot on. Different guns make different sounds from boom to crack to pop and rarely are anything like the media leads us to believe.
Best wishes to you and your coworkers