Frank
Explorer
SHTF....if you are unaware of what that means, it seems to be the internet acronym for $*** hit the fan.
I am posting this information based on a real-world situation, as this really happened. I'm not real sure if it is appropriate, but also feel that of all places to share my story with, this is probably the most respectable and most mature. I'm not posting this for attention, I post for your information and how it could possibly help you. My 'plan' didn't go as planned.
It happened. One of the most unforeseen incidences that we all wish wouldn't happen but try to prepare for. Someone marched into my neighborhood and opened fire on a neighbor that just moved in.
Whoa! I am sure you are thinking.
Let's start by saying I live in a somewhat normal neighborhood. It is a large subdivision full of everything from million dollar Frank Lloyd homes to homes for small families like mine. The community pool is always busy during the summer months. It's a rather diverse community, one that has always seemed to be what I would call respectable and friendly. Our neighborhood has had petty incidences over the almost six years I have been here, but nothing that shouldn't be expected. Late November, we had a new family move in across the street.
As a paranoid Marine Veteran, I always watch my neighborhood probably more-so than most people do. If your curtains are open every single day the same way and one day they aren't, I would likely notice. I can tell you if the neighbor is late leaving for work. Watching this new neighbor was no different since they moved in just a few months ago. Their pattern was that their home would be empty from Sunday afternoon until about Thursday evening around 6pm. Thursday to late Saturday evenings seemed to be the busiest. The same cars would always come and go, never loud music, always quiet. I always waved and smiled to them, never with a response. They always seem rather stand-offish which caught me off guard a bit. Enough that I paid that much more attention to them.
Last Saturday, as I was securing my house before bed, I noticed another gathering going on, just like previous Saturday nights. I said to my wife I should call the police for a wellness check, but neglected to. They've never been an issue, just suspicious. Lots of cars are at the house, all of the curtains are shut, only a few lights on...something is up. -though this is how it usually is on a Saturday night.
Sunday morning shortly after 4am, I was woke up by a string of gun shots. The shooters are right outside of my bedroom window, which is about 40ft from the roadway. Shots are directed across the intersection to the home I was suspicious about, the new neighbors. My daughters bedroom I consider down range as she is in front of the shooters. After round 1 went off I was out of my bed, very quickly assessed the situation by witnessing 2 people outside unloading, standing outside of their vehicle. (One neighbor says there were 2 shooters and a driver) I directed my wife into the bathroom and I ran to my daughters bedroom and jumped on top of her to cover her. Once the gunfire stopped, I got up to get a better description of what was going on. I handed my daughter to my wife and directed them into the laundry room where I felt they were a little more safe. My wife had 911 on the phone and I took over talking to them. At this point, I continued to observe the situation and gather as much info and details as possible. Of course the shooters are now long gone. Another car begins to pull up slowly, this time from another direction and I thought for sure gun fire would erupt again. Nope. People ran from the home, hopped in the car and took off. This clearly was planned and the shooters have done this before. 14min after the initial 911 call the police arrive and grossly take over the situation. They later described the home that took the fire 'heavily peppered'.
After all is said and one, I finally lay back in bed around 7am. Of course I can't sleep nor can the rest of my family. I dosed off for a few min, woke up thinking I had a nightmare that seemed so real. It was real. Though I've been trained for combat situations, this is different. Its my neighborhood with my family involved.
Lessons learned.
My number one lesson, things are 100% different when not in a combat situation and your family is at stake.
The entire shooting only took about 30 seconds though it seemed like 30min. The neighbors who were in the house that was shot left within about 3-4min after everything took place.
I tried to stay as calm as possible which helped keep the situation under control within my house. It is very hard to do but must be done.
Any of us who are reading this probably own a firearm or have a plan in place with some sort of return fire thought. That was my plan and always has been. My EDC (everyday carry) weapon, a Glock 19, was next to my bed. In one location where I was watching the situation from, I have a .40 S&W stashed with loaded magazines ready. In the other room where I was watching, I have an AR ready to go. I had a clear, very easy shot to the shooter to impede them or their getaway vehicle but never once did I go for any of my weapons. In my initial assessment, I realized that my neighbors house is behind the shooter. A miss and the round would be in his bedroom and I didn't know how he was reacting. I quickly went to my plan B and got my daughter and wife to safety and to get a description for the police. I do not regret not shooting. I do regret not putting my gun in my hand.
The police...it took them almost 14min to get to the scene. In 14min, nearly half of the party fled the scene. When they arrived, never once did they approach the neighbors who witnessed the event, we approached them. They also never went to a threat or the 'victim' to secure the situation. Though I am sure this isn't their first rodeo and they are the professional, as a Marine, I feel it was handled very poorly. I have also learned I am not permitted a police report, even though my name is in it as a witness. The report is not considered public info until the case is closed. At this time I do not know anything about the situation other than what I witnessed.
Lights in my home stayed off as everything took place. I have bamboo blinds up that permit me to be invisible from the outside with the lights off behind me. I was able to watch everything and move without being seen. I feel this helped me stay safe as the shooters did look directly at my house.
In talking to the 911 operator, I remained very calm throughout the conversation giving as much info as possible. As a former radio operator in the Marine Corps, I knew this was paramount and came as instinct. However, the operator also told me there were officers in the immediate area and they would be there soon. 14min is what it took, and I live in a residential area. I now have a lot of distrust for the local police in response.
As crazy as it sounds, I wish I would have practiced the situation. I will be practicing other situations for other emergencies.
I have sent a formal letter (email) to the leaders of my community with a requested written response. One leader called me to acknowledge they received my letter.
My daughter has slept in her own bed every night, all night, since about the age of 2. (she is now 6) She now won't. After it took place, she didn't want to be in her room because of what went on. We have hung up dark curtains to cover everything which has helped a bit. My wife has literally worried herself sick.
Also, it's time to move.
So there you have it. There is my after-action report for a real situation that happened which we all hope never does. These are my lessons were learned, hopefully it helps you.
I am posting this information based on a real-world situation, as this really happened. I'm not real sure if it is appropriate, but also feel that of all places to share my story with, this is probably the most respectable and most mature. I'm not posting this for attention, I post for your information and how it could possibly help you. My 'plan' didn't go as planned.
It happened. One of the most unforeseen incidences that we all wish wouldn't happen but try to prepare for. Someone marched into my neighborhood and opened fire on a neighbor that just moved in.
Whoa! I am sure you are thinking.
Let's start by saying I live in a somewhat normal neighborhood. It is a large subdivision full of everything from million dollar Frank Lloyd homes to homes for small families like mine. The community pool is always busy during the summer months. It's a rather diverse community, one that has always seemed to be what I would call respectable and friendly. Our neighborhood has had petty incidences over the almost six years I have been here, but nothing that shouldn't be expected. Late November, we had a new family move in across the street.
As a paranoid Marine Veteran, I always watch my neighborhood probably more-so than most people do. If your curtains are open every single day the same way and one day they aren't, I would likely notice. I can tell you if the neighbor is late leaving for work. Watching this new neighbor was no different since they moved in just a few months ago. Their pattern was that their home would be empty from Sunday afternoon until about Thursday evening around 6pm. Thursday to late Saturday evenings seemed to be the busiest. The same cars would always come and go, never loud music, always quiet. I always waved and smiled to them, never with a response. They always seem rather stand-offish which caught me off guard a bit. Enough that I paid that much more attention to them.
Last Saturday, as I was securing my house before bed, I noticed another gathering going on, just like previous Saturday nights. I said to my wife I should call the police for a wellness check, but neglected to. They've never been an issue, just suspicious. Lots of cars are at the house, all of the curtains are shut, only a few lights on...something is up. -though this is how it usually is on a Saturday night.
Sunday morning shortly after 4am, I was woke up by a string of gun shots. The shooters are right outside of my bedroom window, which is about 40ft from the roadway. Shots are directed across the intersection to the home I was suspicious about, the new neighbors. My daughters bedroom I consider down range as she is in front of the shooters. After round 1 went off I was out of my bed, very quickly assessed the situation by witnessing 2 people outside unloading, standing outside of their vehicle. (One neighbor says there were 2 shooters and a driver) I directed my wife into the bathroom and I ran to my daughters bedroom and jumped on top of her to cover her. Once the gunfire stopped, I got up to get a better description of what was going on. I handed my daughter to my wife and directed them into the laundry room where I felt they were a little more safe. My wife had 911 on the phone and I took over talking to them. At this point, I continued to observe the situation and gather as much info and details as possible. Of course the shooters are now long gone. Another car begins to pull up slowly, this time from another direction and I thought for sure gun fire would erupt again. Nope. People ran from the home, hopped in the car and took off. This clearly was planned and the shooters have done this before. 14min after the initial 911 call the police arrive and grossly take over the situation. They later described the home that took the fire 'heavily peppered'.
After all is said and one, I finally lay back in bed around 7am. Of course I can't sleep nor can the rest of my family. I dosed off for a few min, woke up thinking I had a nightmare that seemed so real. It was real. Though I've been trained for combat situations, this is different. Its my neighborhood with my family involved.
Lessons learned.
My number one lesson, things are 100% different when not in a combat situation and your family is at stake.
The entire shooting only took about 30 seconds though it seemed like 30min. The neighbors who were in the house that was shot left within about 3-4min after everything took place.
I tried to stay as calm as possible which helped keep the situation under control within my house. It is very hard to do but must be done.
Any of us who are reading this probably own a firearm or have a plan in place with some sort of return fire thought. That was my plan and always has been. My EDC (everyday carry) weapon, a Glock 19, was next to my bed. In one location where I was watching the situation from, I have a .40 S&W stashed with loaded magazines ready. In the other room where I was watching, I have an AR ready to go. I had a clear, very easy shot to the shooter to impede them or their getaway vehicle but never once did I go for any of my weapons. In my initial assessment, I realized that my neighbors house is behind the shooter. A miss and the round would be in his bedroom and I didn't know how he was reacting. I quickly went to my plan B and got my daughter and wife to safety and to get a description for the police. I do not regret not shooting. I do regret not putting my gun in my hand.
The police...it took them almost 14min to get to the scene. In 14min, nearly half of the party fled the scene. When they arrived, never once did they approach the neighbors who witnessed the event, we approached them. They also never went to a threat or the 'victim' to secure the situation. Though I am sure this isn't their first rodeo and they are the professional, as a Marine, I feel it was handled very poorly. I have also learned I am not permitted a police report, even though my name is in it as a witness. The report is not considered public info until the case is closed. At this time I do not know anything about the situation other than what I witnessed.
Lights in my home stayed off as everything took place. I have bamboo blinds up that permit me to be invisible from the outside with the lights off behind me. I was able to watch everything and move without being seen. I feel this helped me stay safe as the shooters did look directly at my house.
In talking to the 911 operator, I remained very calm throughout the conversation giving as much info as possible. As a former radio operator in the Marine Corps, I knew this was paramount and came as instinct. However, the operator also told me there were officers in the immediate area and they would be there soon. 14min is what it took, and I live in a residential area. I now have a lot of distrust for the local police in response.
As crazy as it sounds, I wish I would have practiced the situation. I will be practicing other situations for other emergencies.
I have sent a formal letter (email) to the leaders of my community with a requested written response. One leader called me to acknowledge they received my letter.
My daughter has slept in her own bed every night, all night, since about the age of 2. (she is now 6) She now won't. After it took place, she didn't want to be in her room because of what went on. We have hung up dark curtains to cover everything which has helped a bit. My wife has literally worried herself sick.
Also, it's time to move.
So there you have it. There is my after-action report for a real situation that happened which we all hope never does. These are my lessons were learned, hopefully it helps you.
Last edited:
