Rockledge residents attend active shooter class following recent shooting

Gunman killed 1 employee, paralyzed another at area auto shop

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – Rockledge citizens attended an active-shooter class after an area shooting left one person dead last week.

"Its just important for people to know what to do in a situation, if and when the situation happened," Chief of Police Joseph LaSata said.

Police told everyone in the room to close their eyes and imagine going out to the store to get groceries and then suddenly they hear shots.

The chief of police said it only takes one second for things to take a turn for the worst, and that people need to be prepared no matter where they are.

"How to react -- should you run, should you hide or should you fight?" LaSata said. "We're just going to educate them on what they should do in an active-shooter situation."

The active-shooter class was filled with new faces at Faith Temple Christian Center. It came days after investigators said a gunman killed one employee and paralyzed a second at an auto shop in Rockledge.

"It's touched home," Pastor Shaun Ferguson said. "It's here in Rockledge. No one would have ever thought this would happen in our little city."

Police talked about scenarios, making sure citizens know where exits are, how to react and how to create a plan.

"It's sad that it's gotten to this point, that we have to train people what to do, but it could save somebody's life," Craig Banta said.

As the city is coping with the recent shooting, citizens said they're hoping if there is a next time, they'll be more prepared.

"It is a little scary to have it in the back of your mind, but still, you have to face facts. That's the way it is in the world," Brenda Fettrow said.


Recommended Videos