Today was one of the weirdest days of my life. I was in the middle of my 6th period (which runs from 12.30-2.30. We get out of school at 2.30. then we went into a code red.
More on the flip
This means we can't move from our chairs, are locked into our class.
Usually we drill for this from 10-15 minutes.
Students were told about this lock down starting at about 1.30 PM. We were totally kept in the dark till about 2 PM when they told us we were in a code red again. By now i was getting text messages about the SWAT Team being there. I called bullshit.
At 2.30 PM our dismissal time, they made another announcement. We were not to be released.
At this point we heard a loud noise and we're all a bit scared.
By. 2.45 There were reports of hostages even.
At 3 PM we looked online and read about our own school, about some armed thief.
At 3.12 PM The door was being banged on, so the teacher (AP Psychology) tells us to get away from that door. Our class has a door in the front (to the hallway, which was being knocked), to the left (to the outside), to the right (the classroom next door). I quite smoothly am the only one who picked up any of his belongings (my soccerball) and walked to the opposite side of the class. Then they bang as well on the door leading to the other class. the teacher walked to that door opened it, it was the cops. They asked if everyone's ok, we say yes, they tell us to sit down, then come in the room with guns pointed at us, including a semi automatic.
Afterwards, they go to the door leading outside (with students right behing them at their desk) they point guns outside, then close door tell us not to move and leave. (our teacher was outside talking with another cop).
At 3.55 We hear reports from parents outside saying their gonan release us at the back of the school.
At 4.15-4.20 PM ish we are escorted outside by police in Riot gear. We are thena llowed to walk, single file in a line, and with cops EVERYWHERE to the outside.
What's incredible is this was all started by a robbery in front of the Nicaraguan Consulate, about 3-4 blocks away. (Ironically i'm Nicaraguan).A security guard, saw a guy matching that description run in front of the school, and others reported seeing him go into the room. A student who was cutting class was smacked face down on the floor, shotgun to his head, till they let him go. I also walked past a K-9 Unit. The robber was indeed armed.
Instead of focusing on wars in other countries, can we shore up our school security? There's nearly 4,000 students at my school, Miami Coral Park. Also locked down was Everglades Elemiddle, about 5-6 blocks away. Can't imagine the fear over there if it was similar to us.
Good thing is everyone's alright...here's a link
http://www.local10.com/...
http://www.nbc6.net/...
http://cbs4.com/...