A very unexpected and unfortunate event occurred in Provo on Saturday evening. A shoplifter, who had been detained, pulled out a gun, aimed it at the employees and cops who had detained him, and was shot by police.
These types of events always make me sad and angry; sad that someone was stupid enough to shoplift and angry that someone was stupid enough to pull a gun on someone else. This event, however, was a little closer to home than any other events of this type, and I’m not just talking about it taking place in Provo.
At about 8:15 pm, Corey went to Smith’s to pick up some of our prescriptions. The pharmacy there closes at 9:00 pm. When 9:30 pm rolled around, I started to wonder where Corey was and why he wasn’t home yet. A little after 10:00 pm, I decided to give Corey a call on his cell phone. To my dismay, he had left it at home. At that point, I started to get worried. My mind started making up all kinds of things that might have happened: Corey got in an accident, the car broke down, etc. But, never in a million years did I imagine that Corey would be a witness to a shooting.
Corey finally got home about 10:30 pm. When he walked upstairs, I said, “I tried to call you, but you left your phone. I was worried.” His response, “Yeah and what a day to leave my cell phone at home, too.” At this point, I realized that something had happened, and he began to relate the events of the evening to me.
Just as he was checking out (he stopped in the store to buy some lettuce; otherwise, he would’ve been gone already), he said he heard four distinct pops. They sounded like really loud popping balloons. Then, he heard a voice, “Everyone get down. There’s a gun.” At that point, Corey said he heard a barrage of bullets. He ducked behind one of the self-checkout machines until the shooting ceased.
The cops ushered everyone in the store to an area so they could get everyone’s statement of what they heard and saw. Corey said he saw a man in a dark uniform run toward the office and he heard a lot of bullets being fired, but that’s about it.
We found out on the news that the shoplifter was trying to steal some beer when a couple of employees tried to stop him. He started to fight with the employees. Just as the cops arrived, the employees had finally got the man into the main office area when he pulled out a gun. The cops took their guns out and shot him several times. The shoplifter was pronounced dead on the scene. No one else was shot or hurt.
I can’t even imagine what it would’ve been like to be there. I’m glad for Corey’s sake that I wasn’t. Otherwise, he would’ve had to think about me as well as himself because I would’ve fallen to pieces. (He said there were a lot of people there that had fallen to pieces, including one of the employees that was in the vicinity of the shooting.) He told me that he didn’t feel scared at any point, but the whole thing was very unsettling, disturbing, and surreal.
I’m sad that someone died, but I’m glad that it was only the shoplifter. I’m glad that no innocent bystanders were harmed or killed. And, I’m especially glad (and grateful) that Corey is okay.
It really hits home, doesn’t it? {hugs} to you and your husband, and all the other people involved. What a horrible thing to have to live with.
That must have been scary. I’m so glad he wasn’t injured, but it’s sad someone else died.
I can’t even imagine what that must feel like. And I’m sorry that things like this happen in life. I hope everyone involved will feel okay soon.
As a side note, my brothers were both talking about this yesterday at family dinner, and to know someone who witnessed it made it more real to me, not just a news story.
Jaleta – Thank you! It does really hit home when it’s that close. But, like my husband said, it still feels kind of surreal. I’m sure my take would be different had I actually been there with Corey.
Andrea – I agree. I’m sad that the shoplifter was killed, but I’m glad he wasn’t able to hurt anyone else either.
Variety – I hope everyone involved will feel okay soon as well. I feel blessed for not having been there and I feel blessed that Corey wasn’t hurt or suffered emotional damage.
That is unreal. I read that story in the paper today and was really sad that the guy basically got killed because he wanted beer. What a way to die. Corey has all of the adventures doesn’t he?
James and Meagan – You have no idea! Okay, you have some idea. ;)
I just read about this today! I’m glad Corey and everyone else in the store was ok. I don’t like guns! It just seems to me that the more people that have guns, the more likely accidents/incidents like this are going to happen. Sad. :(
Ashley – I’m glad that the incident wasn’t any worse than it was either.
Holy Shmoly! I echo what everyone else has said; glad to know Corey’s fine. We love you two!
Things like that just don’t normally happen in real life, right? Its very surreal when it does. I’m glad that Corey was just on the fringe of the event and is okay! So sad that the guy’s stupid choices lead to his death over some beer, though.
Amber – Thanks! :) We love you guys too!
Leah Marie – That’s what I was thinking. These things only happen in the movies, on TV, or in books, right? It’s weird to feel closer to something horrible like this. One of my friends was a student at Columbine when the shooting occurred and she still has emotional trauma from it. This incident could’ve been so much worse and I’m so glad it wasn’t.
I got the chills reading this, how horrible! To think this persons life ended all because they wanted beer, it’s very sad :-(
Tamara – I agree. It is very sad. I wish things like this didn’t happen.
Oh! What to say. Corey has creepy life threatening situations to often for comfort. I’m so uber glad that only the shoplifter got hurt. That really scares me still….tell Corey I’m glad he made it! And I’m glad you weren’t there. Stupid beer, seriously? I love you.
Aymee – Corey does have creepy life threatening situations too often for comfort. It would be nice if he just had a normal, mundane, boring life for once, wouldn’t it? Thanks. I’m glad he’s okay too. I love you too!
I’m glad that Corey is okay. Man, that is scary. How stupid is that shoplifter that he sacrificed his life for some beer. People are so stupid.
Becky – I don’t get it either. There’s nothing I want bad enough to get myself killed over it.
I am so grateful that Corey is okay. I just like you, I would have probably freaked out!
So glad Corey was ok. I would have been freaking out too. It really does make you think how someone could get so desperate for something as stupid as beer. :(
Jenifer – Yeah, I think freaking out would’ve been in order. ;)
Kimberly – I know, right? I’m glad I don’t have a dependency on anything. I think it would be so hard to go through life looking for the next fix.
Holy crap . . . I’m so glad he’s okay! We’re thinking about you two.
Jen – Thanks! It’s over now, but it was pretty freaky at the time.