I meant to post this months ago, but I think I didn't because I was a possible witness and wasn't supposed to talk about it at the time. So here it is from May 9th, 2010:
So last night I went to Smith's in Provo to pick up a couple of things. I passed by a Hollywood video that was closing down and advertising 99 cent DVD's and once I parked I went to see if any were left. Finding nothing there (every one had been sold) I walked over to the store and went inside.
I went towards the Peanut Butter and texted my wife to see what everything I needed to get was and then went to look at the bread. Once she responded I texted again and went to the back aisle. I paused at some bacon in a refrigerator bin and looked through a bunch before a crowd of people rushed by screaming "He's got a gun!" and "Get down!"
The butchers next to me ducked out a back way and I followed them and others hearing shots on the way. Once we were outdoors and safe I came around and waited to give the police the details I had seen and heard.
From the KSL website http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10707188 I learned that a man had been shoplifting beer and when confronted by the management became hostile. They marshaled him into an area at the front of the store while calling police. When they arrived they tried using a taser and then the man pulled out his gun and pointed it at them. Fortunately for the officers the shots I had heard were their guns taking the suspect down and not his own gun.
What was amazing to me was when I heard the time on the news clip. It said around 8:40pm is when the cops were called in. My first text was at 8:41 according to my phone. I had barely missed the initial incursion by about the time it took to walk to Hollywood and back to the store. Then my meandering caused me to be at the back when the shooting happened.
God had kept me out of the path of the entire showdown while simultaneously leading me through the midst of it. I was never really worried, but strangely unafraid. My family was glad I was safe as was I and seeing my wife and children that night was slightly more meaningful than normal - though it should be noted we just brought home our new-born daughter a few hours before the incident. It filled me with wonder at how close I had been to harm and yet divinely protected throughout. God truly does watch over us!
