I went to bed last night sick over the senseless killing of 20 people in El Paso, TX, and wounding at least 24 others. I made a FaceBook Live video discussing it. Committing to do more to help people.
https://www.facebook.com/alain.burrese/videos/10157275307021832/
I was in bed this morning, almost 6:00 am, half awake, procrastinating getting up when I got a text from a friend. Another shooting, this one in Dayton, OH, with 9 innocent people killed and at least 26 more wounded. If I wasn’t sick before, it is even worse now…
Thoughts and prayers go out too the communities of El Paso and Dayton.
I don’t know why these keep happening. No one knows for sure, even though there are theories out there. I do know they are increasing. That’s a fact. While not a new problem, mass killings go back a long ways, the frequency of these incidents has been increasing the last 20. It is sickening to think that people believe going out and killing innocent people is the solution to anything.
I personally want to double down on my commitment to help more people. Since I don’t know how to stop people from wanting to kill others, I will keep teaching people ways to stay safe, and try to do even more. Writing Survive A Shooting was one goal to help others, now I must get the information both from the book and live classes out. Having a plan, being prepared, and knowing what you can do does save lives. No, I can’t stop the killing, but if I can save lives and reduce the number of people killed, at least I’ve done something to help. I’m not sure what else I can do.
I’m heading out tomorrow to Billings, MT, because I’m the keynote speaker at a Safety Expo on Tuesday morning. I have four of the longer Active Shooter Response and Active Shooter Response/Reflex Protect courses booked for this month already, and a couple booked for later in the year, and I’m speaking on the topic at the Santa Clara County Safety Seminar in California next month. So I am getting the word out, but if you can help me, that would be appreciated. Let people know abut this site and what I’m doing. Together, maybe we can help more.
But please, let’s not forget that there are still so many good people in the world doing good things. We had 2 people do terrible things in El Paso and Dayton this weekend. Do not let that define us, and do not let that make you afraid to live life. We can’t give up on society because of a few, we must work together to make things better. And many people are, in different ways.
Take a moment to send thoughts, prayers, blood, and any assistance you can to those in El Paso and Dayton. And let’s not forget those in Gilroy, CA, just a week ago, or any of the others who have faced such tragedy. But then take a moment to share your love with those you love and care about most. And remember the world is not a terrible place because a few do terrible things.
Take care and stay safe,
Alain