Stay Connected: RSS | Email Alerts | Mobile & iPhone
Print this Story
Set Text Size SmallSet Text Size MediumSet Text Size LargeSet Text Size X-Large

Trapped in a high rise with a gunman

Reported by: Don Germaise
Email: dgermaise@abcactionnews.com
Last Update: 11/06/2009 8:26 pm
ORLANDO, FL -- On the 16th floor of the Gateway Center in Orlando, Rob Chapin looked out the window and saw the SWAT team.

He had no idea what was going on. Then he saw victims walking out of the office building.

"One guy had blood all over his shirt," Chapin said. "One guy they pulled out on  a gurney and he had blood all over his legs. So we knew something was really serious."

Chapin was eight floors above the shooting, but had no idea where the gunman was. Neither did police. Chapin's co-workers locked the doors and tried to arm themselves in case the gunman showed up.

One man in the office had a baseball bat collection. "We grabbed bats,and we had those as weapons in case the man came in. That was all we had."

Chapin said everyone was scared. Everyone was calling family members. He said every cliche you hear about these situations came to mind. He wondered if he'd ever see his loved ones again.

Hours after the ordeal, Chapin headed home to hand out hugs. "I was so scared. It was surreal."
More Tampa Bay News
Doctor pleads guilty to Medicare fraud and dispensing illegal prescriptions
A doctor faces up to 30 years in Federal prison for dispensing illegal drug prescriptions and Medicare fraud.
Homeless see 'no parking' signs as an eviction notice
St. Petersburg city workers put up new signs to push out what some neighbors say was a problem. Video Video
Man sentenced for elder fraud
A judge sentenced William Becker to 30 years in prison, but suspended half the sentence, meaning he will only be behind bars for 15 years.
School bus accident injures two students
Two students were injured in fiery school bus accident.
Lakeland mechanic dies when RV rolls on top of him
Polk County officials say a mechanic died when a 30-foot recreational vehicle he was repairing fell on him.


Accu-Weather Forecast
Toddler in critical condition after falling into pond
The near-drowning happened around noon Thursday in a Wesley Chapel neighborhood on Breakers Drive.
Tampa leaders sign off on cell tower
The Tampa City Council voted to allow the project to move forward despite major opposition from neighbors.
  This site is hosted and managed by Inergize Digital.