Did you see on the news that a disturbed young man went into a school in Decatur, Georgia with an AK47 and was prepared to shoot policemen? It was a good thing that Antoinette Tuff was employed as a bookkeeper in the front office as it was she who talked the gunman down. In the beginning of the 911 call, she sounded so fearful yet she handled this so expertly, I think she should give lessons on how to handle tense stand-off negotiations. She had the man get down on the floor and surrender his weapon! That is how the police found him when they entered the building.
If you listen to this 911 call, there are several stretches that are silent, that is mostly where she was told by the gunman to call the news station in Atlanta, WSB-TV. I can't imagine how hard this must have been for the 911 operator, not knowing what was happening. My heart goes out to the families of these children at this school, learning of shots being fired, and not knowing about the safety of their children.
I think it is important to listen to the whole tape of the 911 call and that is why I have it on this post.
Antoinette Tuff, I am so thankful that you were in the front office that day and I am grateful for your common sense and courage. Your strong faith in God shows through in every word.
She was incredible. She sounded so calm, and reassuring.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was an amazing 911 call, it made me cry when she is talking to the gunman.
DeleteA genuine heroine!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all my heart!
DeleteWhat an amazing woman! I can't believe how calm she was as she dealt with the situation, and how warmly and respectfully she spoke to the young man. I think she reached him with her compassionate and bighearted approach. I am in awe of her!
ReplyDeleteI know, Martha, didn't she just blow you away when you saw this on the news? Respect and kindness goes a very long way and this just proves it.
DeleteI don't use the word "awesome" very much, but this is one time that it certainly applies!
Yes-Thank God for that woman's presence of mind! I watched her whole interview on the news this morning. Who knows how many precious lives she saved! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI am grateful she was there that day and that nobody was hurt.
DeleteI did see that on the news. What a terrific person she is. I hope this gives others some guidelines when dealing with someone out on a limb so to speak. Our world is so crazy today and we need more people like her. Sometimes it doesn't have to be a major calamity that needs calming down, sometimes is those right in our own homes.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, you are so right. And I think that we should recognize and honor people like this, ordinary people who are courageous, keep a level head and end up saving the day, in any situation, whether a major calamity or in our own workplaces or homes.
DeleteI was really amazed with her too. She averted what could have been a horrific tragedy. I remember when their was a shooting in the cafeteria at my son's school. I was walking up the hallway where I was teaching and several teachers came rushing out to tell me there was a shooting. I was in agony until I knew he was safe.
ReplyDeleteI know just what you mean. We had a school shooting at Heritage High School in 1999, just one month after the Columbine shooting. The high school is just across the road from the elementary school, where our son was at the time.
DeleteI remember very well the fear until I knew he was safe.
She interviewed on cnn's Anderson copper. I can't say enough to convey how together she is. She took no credit for herself. Her own human frailty and faith was inspiring . I will never forget
ReplyDeleteLove
kj
She gave all the credit to God. A very refreshing change these days, I think.
DeleteI won't forget her.
An amazing story, indeed. We should all be so calm in emergencies.
ReplyDeleteI admire this calmness, I think it is incredible.
DeleteI have not listened to the 911 call, but from what you tell us in your own words that is one lady as close to a guardian angel as they get!
ReplyDeleteA guardian angel, exactly so. When you get a chance, listen to the tape, you can listen to it while you are doing something else, there are several long stretches of silence, but I think it is important to hear all of it.
DeleteWOW. I am speechless. She is a true hero. When she broke down after the police came in.....whew. Broke my heart. She was just so calm....I really can't get over it! Really, she is truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteI know, Audrey, isn't this just the most amazing thing! This 911 tape made me cry, I just don't see how you cannot when you listen to her speak so calmly and with such assurance.
DeleteWow Kay!
ReplyDeleteThis is a powerful video! I listened to the whole recording! I find these stories very difficult, having been a teacher with kids during real emergency lockdowns. And of course we had Columbine and the Aurora theater shootings (I live in Aurora, Colorado).
Thank you for sharing this story. Our schools are filled with incredible employees who take the protection and care of their students very seriously, no matter what their position in the school is. Just Friday night I was talking with a retired maintenance man from our school district at Parkway Bar & Grill's bar. He spotted a former student working in the kitchen. The student saw Ken, came out and talked with him, and updated Ken on his mother and what was going on in his life. Apparently the student had been a difficult one, and Ken had talked to him a number of times at school and had helped him. It had been over four years ago, and the student had turned his life around. Sometimes when we think of schools, we think of teachers and maybe don't realize all the other dedicated and caring employees like a maintenance man taking the time to talk with a troubled kid.
Have a good one,
My nephew was born in April of 2000 in Denver and I flew out there to see him just after the Columbine shooting. I still remember the blue ribbons saying "We Are Columbine".
DeleteYou know you never know what one kind word might do, how much a difference it might make in a person's life, that is why we need to be aware of our words and actions at all times and make sure that they are positive ones!
Thanks for listening to this all the way through, I thought that you would, we are kindred spirits after all. xx
What an amazing thing to listen to. This woman is a real hero, keeping cool in the scariest circumstances. I hope I could do as well as she did. No one could have done better...Thank you, Kay.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to listen to it, Kristi.
DeleteI think that the 911 operator sounded in awe of her, I know that I am.
What a wonderful lady. Fate obviously dictated she be on duty there that day.
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