In which I was at the Seattle Southcenter mall shooting this weekend
Posted by Isabel on November 24th, 2008. Filed under: City Living, Me.I went with about 15 lady friends from church and one friend from work to see “Twilight” on Saturday afternoon. We figured the 1:00 matinee showing would be the least crowded that day.
We were right.
After the movie was over (more on that later in the week) we headed to the food court to grab a bite to eat. I was meeting The King and Babboo later on near the mall, so I refrained from getting any food. I just sat there in the food court chatting with my friends about how hott Edward is. (OMG. So! Hot!)
I heard a loud bang. It sounded like someone dropping a bin full of dishes somewhere in the food court.
I heard another loud bang.
I saw people scatter. I heard screaming.
Gun shots.
I ran for cover behind a planter in the food court. I looked around and saw the doors out to the patio of the food court. I stayed low and ran outside to the patio alone. There were others already out there. We quickly realized there was no way down from the second story patio.
I climbed over the railing of the patio and stood out on the second story ledge. A teenage girl and her boyfriend followed behind me. She was crying and talking to her dad on her cell phone. I called The King on my cell phone. I knew he was just down the street getting some art famed at a frame shop. I told him there was a shooting at the mall and that he and Babboo needed to come and get me. NOW!
I looked over and a mother and her teenage daughter were on the ledge with me. A man down below was urging us to jump down. He would get us. I didn’t know who this man was. I didn’t know where the shooter was.
I didn’t know. So I stayed on the ledge while others climbed down.
I called my work friend to see where she was. She had never been to that mall before. She had run to a nearby bathroom. She was locked in a stall with strangers. I told her I The King was coming to get us and to meet me across the street at Target.
I saw the cops arrive. I was still on the ledge. I was screaming and asking people where the shooter was. Nobody knew what was going on. The news later said the police were there in less then 2 minutes. It felt like much longer.
I called my other friend to see where the rest of the ladies were. They were inside. They were fine.
“I’m outside on the food court ledge. I’m fine.”
Someone found a ladder and put it on top of a plastic patio table. A man climbed up to get me down. He was heavy and I didn’t know that the ladder would hold both of us. I told him I was fine and could get down by myself.
I was fine. The height of the ledge was nothing compared to not knowing what was going on once I got down. I got down and ran. I ran out of the parking lot. I ran out to the sidewalk. I remembered my friend Vesper had left right before the shooting. I called her to make sure she had left the mall in time. She was fine. She was fine.
I ran across the street to Target. I stood by the store sign waiting for The King. He pulled up and I ran to the car. I didn’t know what to do. Do I cry? Do I hug him? Do I hold Babboo? I looked up and saw my friend from work running towards me. I hugged her and we got in the car.
We headed home. Trying to talk calmly so we wouldn’t scare Babboo more then he was already was. I called my friends to tell her we were on our way home. They were in their cars. They were safe, just waiting to leave the parking lot.
The King said he figured it was gang related and that the shooter had got who he was looking for. I hadn’t thought that at all. I was only thinking of Columbine and someone trying to hurt random people in a crowded mall.
We got home and turned on the news for a minute. Two people were shot. The shooter hadn’t been caught. The mall was on lockdown. I figured if I had gotten out of there so quickly so had the shooter.
The King, Babboo and I went out and got something to eat for dinner.
The rest of my friends didn’t get home for another three or four hours.
That night I took off my heels and put my slippers on. My feet began to instantly hurt. I’m not sure what I had done, but my feet cramped up and I couldn’t walk for the next 12 hours.
I didn’t sleep Saturday night.
I stayed home from church on Sunday. I just couldn’t walk.
I’m fine now. I’m fine.
It was gang related. One of the boys who was shot died. They still haven’t found the shooter. I imagine they know exactly who he is. It’s just a matter of time.
I’m at work today. But I have a lot on my mind; my husband and my kid and my family and my friends.
I’m sure I’ll blog more about this. I want to talk about how this isn’t the mall I typically go to. I want to talk about how I had just jokingly said to my friends “why are we at this ghetto mall? We’re going to get shot!” Or about how I had just pointed out to my friend where Target was through the food court window, not knowing we would be meeting up there later.
But for now, this is all I have until I get my thoughts together.
You can read an account over at the local news site. I especially appreciated this quote:
“We were just eating our lunch and all the sudden gunshots started going off,” she told KING 5. “It was like a stampede of people … there were actually people jumping off the balcony where the food court is at. It was crazy.”
Yeah, that was ME jumping off the balcony!
(My own artist rendition of the ledge I was out on!)
November 24th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I had a friend that went to our NON ghetto mall about a year ago to see a movie. She called me and told me she was stuck in JC Penney and they wouldn’t let her leave but she had just witnessed someone shooting at another person in the food court. An off duty police officer shot the shooter in the leg and the policeman got shot back (in the leg, too), but no one died. She said it was TERRIFYING. I’m so glad you are alright.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Dude, that is crazy! So glad you’re okay.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Dear dear dear lord I am so glad you and your friends are okay.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Holy crap! That would be rather terrifying. I’m glad you and all of your friends are ok.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Crap, this is crazy. This sucks. (And it’s ok if you’re not fine, even though you’re “fine”)
November 24th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Holy crap. I heard about the shooting over the weekend…I can’t believe you were there. So glad you are ok. What a scary scary thing to go through!
November 24th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Thank God you are okay. That is very scary stuff. It sounds stupid to say good thing it was only gang related, because that in itself if very scary, but seriously, it probably would have been worse if it wasn’t gang related, ya know?
November 24th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I am SO glad you’re okay. How scary!
November 24th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
How terrifying! I’m really glad you’re okay.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Thank goodness you are ok. Prayers coming your way–stuff like this can be so hard to process. Glad you and yours are safe.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Thank goodness you’re all right. i can’t begin to imagine … i’m glad you’re all right (even if you sound like Ross when he finds out about Joey & Rachel).
Makes us realize how lucky we are to have our friends & families, doesn’t it ?
November 24th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
So glad to hear you are “alright” even if you are still shaken over the whole thing. You are in my thoughts.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Oh my gosh! That is so scary. I can’t even imagine how scared you must have felt, but clearly you kept your head…even if you are still feeling a little shaky. I’m so glad you’re okay.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad you, your family, and friends are alright. I imagine “shaken up” doesn’t even begin to describe.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Holy Crap! I heard about that shooting. I’m so glad you and your friends are okay. How incredibly scary.
That mall has had a lot of work done on it. The food court is actually really nice as far as mall food courts go. I can totally picture where you were. Thank God you weren’t hurt.
I’d be shaken to the core.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I’m so glad you and everyone you were with was okay – at least physically – and that The King was close enough to get you out of there so quickly. I hope they catch the “perp” very soon.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Crazy, I am so so glad you and your family and friends are okay. That is one thing I never want to go through!
November 24th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I am glad you are ok – shaken up but ok. I actually thought of you when i saw this on TV this weekend. Odd since I dont know you in real life, but was genuinely concerned – even said it to my husband.
How frightening. I am glad everyone you were with is ok.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I want to give you a very big hug right now. So frightening! I’m glad you’re okay and I hope that this does not ruin the mall for you forever!
November 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
That’s crazy! I’m so glad you and your friends are alright.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I’m shaken up just reading that! Holy Moley, is all I can think of to write. Holy Moley.
Thank goodness for Target and online shopping. So glad you are safe!
November 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I am so glad you are OK.
The way you told this–I’m guessing it’s the way you’re still remembering it–well, I’m a little teary thinking about how it must have felt.
Life is so fragile, and in an instant so many things can change. I’m just glad you are fine and that your friends are fine.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Way too freaky! I’m glad you and your friends are all right.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I have no idea what to say! I’m so, so glad you’re OK. This is just too crazy to believe.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
That is SO scary! I’m soooo glad that you’re ok. Guess we all have a reminder of all the things (especially just being alive!) to be thankful for this thanksgiving.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I am so glad you are ok. And that you didn’t hurt yourself by doing your own stunts. And that you didn’t get shot. And well… just huge sigh of relief and I am going to give you a giant in your personal space hug when I see you.
And Edward is hot.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Holy crap!! That must have been so scary! I am so so glad you are ok though.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I’m going to Twillight tonight! I hope I’m not involved in any shootings!!!
Soooooo glad you are okay!!! How scary!
November 24th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
What a terrifying ordeal! I usually lurk but just wanted to say I’m glad you were able to walk away…
November 24th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Oh my gosh!!! That is so so scary! I’m so glad that you all are ok! What a crummy way to end such a great night.
Seriously, this just terrifies me. I’m just glad you and your family & friends are all safe.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
That is very scary! Thank God you’re OK.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:23 am
I saw that on the news Saturday and I had been scheduled to be at that mall at that time and at the last minute traded Saturdays and was at Ikea instead. I was so grateful for that tiny bit of inspiration since I would have had my son with me. As I watched I contemplated what my reaction might have been and couldn’t even imagine what I would have done with my child with me. Reading your first-hand account was overwhelming enough. I am glad you’re okay, that you didn’t have your son with you, and your husband was nearby.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:25 am
What the hell??? So glad you’re not dead! Such scary stuff…way to be brave on the ledge, though.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Wow! I’m glad to hear you are safe. I don’t get down to Southcenter often; maybe once a year. I went to Acme bowl last April and ran into Nordstrom to look for something quick. The vibe in that mall is just not good; I had the heebie jeebies from an “incident” between a shopper and the mall security who was escorting the shopper out of the mall. Even with the remodel, I’ll keep my distance. So interesting to hear a first hand account; definitely a lifetime event one doesn’t wish for anyone to experience.
In other news, wasn’t the movie awsome! I saw it at Lincoln Square this weekend.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:50 am
This is so crazy and frightening to read a first-hand account of this. We’ve been reporting it for days. One of the big discussions in the news meeting today was about what to report on this story. Do we tell people what to do if they hear shorts? No, too alarmist, this wasn’t random. Do we talk about mall security? Do we talk about the police response? we finally settled on talking about mall security, and what the mall should have done differently. Man, how scary.
November 25th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Holy crap! That is terrifying. So glad you and your friends are OK!
November 25th, 2008 at 3:22 am
I drove by Southcenter during the mayhem and saw all the cops and lights. . . and then the next day I got up close and personal with this situation:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/34965059.html
I don’t know what happened with this guy but seeing a dead body in the middle of 99 was a little unnerving and creepy and (insert other descriptive words here).
Southcenter is my “home mall” the mall I hung out at growing up – I was hoping that the new addition would also bring a better crowd of shoppers. Looks like I was wrong. I honestly don’t understand what possess someone to think its fully acceptable to shoot someone, let alone shoot someone in a mall packed full of people.
So sorry you had to go through this and v. glad you’re okay!
November 25th, 2008 at 3:52 am
This makes me so upset for you! I can’t believe you were there, and that you were in that situation. I’m soooo glad you are ok. I hope your feet feel better. I think there is nothing worse than somewhere you know being turned into a scene of terror. Hugs!!!!
November 25th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Well that is just insanely scary. I hope this trauma fades fast for you.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:47 am
What a nightmare! I’m so glad you and your family were unharmed although shaken. Who wouldn’t be after that!? Almost jumping off the balcony!! Wow. Scary doesn’t even begin to describe it, I imagine.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:52 am
I am writing before even reading because I just wanted to say that when I heard about this shooting on TV last night, I thought of you immediately. You are the only person I “know” from Seattle. I am so happy to know you are safe and sound, but sorry you had to go through it. I will read now…;) Take care!
November 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
You actually voiced one of my thoughts while reading this… that you and others got out of there pretty quickly and that the shooter probably did too as they would have shot and ran immediately.
All the lock downs ever seem to do is hold all the innocent people in for hours while the bad guys are already gone. I’m so glad you got out quickly and were smart enough to go out on the ledge like you did!!!
November 25th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Wow, very glad you and all of your friends got out safely.
November 25th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
So scary. I’m so glad you and your friends are okay.
November 25th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Oh honey. That is terrifying. I’m so sorry. If you need to talk about it, please call me. I’m so thankful you and your friends got out ok. Seriously…if you need another person to talk to about it, do not hesitate to call at any time.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Oh my gosh! I am so so sorry! This is making me get all teared up just reading about your horrific experience! I am sure it will take you some time to recover from it, emotionally. It is never easy to face such situations, even if we are only indirectly affected. I’m glad you and your friends are safe. Sending you warm hugs.
November 25th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Holy macanoli! I am so glad that you’re okay.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Oh my God!! How scary! SO glad you’re okay, Isabel!
November 26th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Glad you are okay! You ran through my thoughts actually when I heard that there had been a shooting at a mall in Seattle.
November 26th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
[...] mall shooting by leaving the countryNovember 26th, 2008 @ 7:01 am It’s been long enough after this weekend’s shooting incident that I’ve calmed down. In fact, thinking about it now is almost comical. I mean, I jumped over [...]
November 26th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
HOLY CRAP!!!! How did I miss this!?! I am so glad you’re ok, a year-ish ago there was a mall down the street from me (Trolley Square) that got shot-out with a couple of people killed…I wasn’t there at the time, but I was there about an hour earlier and the whole thing freaked me out like nobody’s business. Again, I’m so glad you (and all your friends) are ok.
xox
November 28th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I am so, so glad you are okay. How frightening. My heart was in my throat reading it even though I knew you must be okay to be posting.
November 29th, 2008 at 12:55 am
I cannot believe this! This is crazy. I’m so glad you’re okay and you got out.
What a way to kill a Twilight Buzz.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Sheesh. So glad you’re okay!
December 4th, 2008 at 5:10 am
I heard about this incident Isabel on my local news and immediately thought of you. I had no idea that I’d be reading this up close and personal account of how things went down though. How scary to have experienced this and I’m so truly thankful that you (and your friends) got out okay.
December 10th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Oh, my goodness! I remember this incident but never put two and two that you might have been there.
I’m so glad you are okay.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Isabel! OMG, I’m just starting to read blogs again in the new house — technically I won’t have interet access until Friday, but I’m online at a conference.
I’m so glad you are ok, and so sorry you had such a scary experience!
December 15th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this happened! I’m so sorry yo had to go through that, and I’m so glad you and your friends all came out of it okay.