Law enforcement holds active shooter drill

The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office held an active shooter drill today at Snake River Junior High. This time, the drill was a little different. Reporter/ Anchor Karole Honas was invited to be the second officer in the door.

“Put the gun down!” The first lesson learned is be verbal, use language. Try to get the active shooter to drop the weapon. In this case, the shooter did not, and Honas shot him.
“I probably would have been shot by that time, don’t you think?” asked Honas when the drill ended.
” Not necessarily,” says Sgt. Gary Yancey, ” He could be hesitant too.”

The drill began with an equipment assignment, as Sheriff Craig Rowland zipped Honas into a bullet proof vest with a metal plate in the front. ” It’s heavy,” says Honas. ” That’s 30 pounds,” says the Sheriff. ” It would weigh more than that with all the other equipment attached.” ” I’m already sweating,” says Honas.

Next, a safety helmet that covers the entire head and neck.
” I can’t breathe, take it off,” says Honas. ” Jeez-oh Pete, I didnt’ know I was that claustrophobic. That would take some getting used to.”
Step three, learning to shoot an AR-15.
” I’ve never shot a rifle before,” says Honas.
After a few practice shots at a door at the end of the hallway, the ‘actors’ in the drill head upstairs in the school and decide who is the shooter and who are the victims.
In the end, Honas shoots a hostage that is shoved out a classroom door right in front of her. She then shoots the gunman.
“Points for getting the gunman,” says the Sheriff. ” But you’re going to have to answer to shooting a hostage.”
Now Karole Honas knows a little better about split second decisions and adrenaline.