Dispatcher Was Critical Relay for Shooting Info

When a gunman appeared at a Panama City (Fla.) school board meeting last Tuesday, he allowed several people to leave, and many dialed 911 to report the incident, even as it played out on an streaming Internet feed. During one six-minute 911 call, a female caller described the address and location within the building, and described the suspect to the calltaker. On the logging tape, the calltaker is also talking to a co-worker in the comm center, and police radio transmissions are audible in the background. The caller asks for advice on evacuating (go outside or stay inside), but the calltaker is stumped, and ends up asking someone else what advice to give. As officers were enroute, the caller suddenly realizes that the Internet video feed is delayed by about 30 seconds, and that a the gunman has already shot his gun. Listen to the logging tape for each of the calltaker’s questions, the order in which they’re asked, the answers, and consider what other questions might have been useful. After the break, watch a video of the meeting room that corresponds to the 911 call.

Two television stations were covering the school board meeting when the gunman appeared, and the videographers left the cameras taping when the gunman ordered everyone to leave. This YouTube video requires you to confirm your age by logging in to your account. The video does not show the gunman shooting himself, but it nevertheless graphic.