People Shooter (Confusion Reigns)

Someone pounded on the window. They both jumped. “Godammit. You just as well kill someone than scare them half to death,” Tracy growled while sliding open the window. An officer stood by the squad while glancing around the area.
“Sorry. Sorry,” the officer said while still surveying the scene.  Did he say anything about anyone helping him here? He a lone gunman or what?” Several other officers crowded in around the squad dressed up like soldiers, assault weapons held across their chests, the word “Police” printed on their black outfits.
            “If I say something, can you loosen these?” McShuster leaned forward, exposing his cuffed hands.
            “You good with that, Jill?” The officer asked.
            She got out of the squad and started working a little key in the hole on the cuff. The handcuffs had worked a deep imprint into his wrist, she noticed, suppressing a grin. Yes sir … the little bastard got what he had coming.
            “Yes, I’m here doing what I had to do. I’m what you’d call a lone gunman. Wait a minute, I don’t have a gun. I’m just here, I mean alone. How bad hurt is he?” McShuster nodded toward Noah. Everyone ignored him.

              At this point we know a shooting has occurred at a school. All is confusing. Some are concerned whether a second shooter is on the scene. This happened in Columbine. The police are responding with limited knowledge. They simply don't know what is unfolding. During my career as a police officer I lived this sort of thing . . . over and over again.

             Here is feedback regarding this story and my response.

 

             (There are some logistics that I would have liked to see cleaned up--how nobody noticed McShuster's injuries, why he never said anything to try to clear the air of what happened, why the police car seems to stay at the school for so long.)

             At this point in the story a suspect has been patted down and cuffed. He has a coat on and the officers do not have control of the scene. McShuster is confused along with the officers over what is going on. Remember that we are talking a situation that is unfolding in seconds here. No time to armchair quarterback. Officer Tracy wants to read the suspect his rights before heading to the station.

            

People Shooter (Two Points of View expressed)

“I don’t get,” Officer Tracy said shaking her head. “Why … more shootings? Can’t even send kids to a basketball game no more. Used to be unarmed people—men, women and children—were off limits,” Officer Tracy mumbled.
           McShuster spoke up. “Violence and guns is what it’s about. Shooters on a mission to go viral or something. Be badass and blast their way onto the news. The whole deal. Pictures with names … in the news, ruined parents. You know that? This stuff here tonight was planned for a bad ending. You know. It was like a secret mission. The same as they do in the army. I mean we had code words. We put together target practice. It got serious in short order. I mean homemade targets with names on them of dicks from school. It was funny until it wasn’t. We make the gun deal with our hand and pulled an imaginary trigger with our pointer finger. That meant target practice after school. I mean no harm no crime. Don’t get me wrong here. I ain’t sayin’ guns is right or wrong. I’m just saying—”

“Please shut it!’ Officer Tracy glared at him in the rearview mirror shaking her head.

“I’m going to read you your rights and tape what you have to say. Okay, McShuster?”

            Before putting this story together I was a cop for just under thirty years. I sincerely attempted to express that point of view with Officer Tracy. I next researched the Columbine shooting and discussed the incident with a survivor of the shooting. This part of the story has two belief systems colliding. Cops are people and nobody is perfect, thus cops do make mistakes. Believe me. Are innocent people ever arrested? Check out the Innocence Project. 

People Shooter (Arrests can be Confusing)

 

The squad was parked on the concourse in front of the school next to a flag pole. Its lights were trained on a body lying on the ground. A man, not in uniform, was waving at the approaching ambulance which jumped the curb and pulled up next to the body. Two emergency technicians sprang from the ambulance. McShuster had to get to work at Shorty’s Bar and Grill. He already had seventeen thousand in the bank and he wanted to add to it. He glanced at his school. He already had half his senior year over with.
“Ma’am, my hands really hurt. Officer Tracy … isn’t that your name?” McShuster asked.
“Handcuffs are necessary when someone brings a gun to school.” Officer Tracy held her hand, palm up, over the steering wheel. Then she leaned toward the passenger seat and picked up the wallet she had taken off him. “James McShuster. Is that you?”
“Yes.” He nodded his head, then lowered his voice. “Is that there Noah hurt? Did he get planted harder than me?” He started to lean forward before pain jolted him in a straight-up position.

Getting arrested can be confusing. Get this . . . we teach our children to respect authority and they are the types that go along with what the cop is suggesting. McShuster is having a bad night here and lands in a squad car. Confusing? You bet.

In a prior life . . .

I was a cop. Been there and done that . . . right? So a young lady reviews one of my stories and makes the claim that 'Cops would never do that.' Next up . . . 'People Shooter'. Listen, I sat down with a survivor of Columbine and we went over that awful day. So I get accused of making money off the dead and injured. How about this . . . I write to live and learn. I'm putting together installments on twitter for those who want to take a peek.

'People Shooter' is up for an Award!

 After being trained in the Behavioral Services Department in the FBI National Academy I hit the streets. Then after some years of utilizing my skill set on the mean streets I now have discovered a new passion. I write. So what are all these mass shootings about? Read my short story . . . 'People Shooter'.

Abbey Road

 Talk about inspiring. What? You didn't think an author had say-so on scoring?

How Do You Do It?

I was trained in the Behavioral Unit at the FBI National Academy. I apply these skills to my stories. I listen. I learn and then I write. This probably explains why my stories are ahead of the Headlines. I make every attempt at pulling no punches. Topics from mass shootings to sexual assaults are addressed. 

Lost

 Many establish a belief system and then defend it. No matter what. Loved ones who lost someone from gun violence, sound differently, than an individual who considers an assault weapon near and dear.

People Shooter

 My latest story titled, The People Shooter, is the direct result of having to put up with the awful violence visiting us daily. I researched it, I asked hard questions and wondered. It's just my effort to contribute to a solution for a growing problem. Enough said?

 

People Shooter?

So why you may ask. I'd say it's high time the killing stops and that starts with understanding the problem. Australia did it and so can the United States. One story for people who want to understand. Who want to be heard. 

This Just In . . .

 The People Shooter is up for four awards! This story isn't available to readers yet. Patience my friends.

Thanks for The Interest

Another great read! The Last Gargoyle!

Once again, Curt Rude has drawn from his life experiences as a law enforcement officer and has written an outstanding book that I could not put down. I cannot remember the last time I read until 2:00 a.m. to finish a book! Rude has great insight that shows in the dialogue between the characters, as well a personal knowledge of the Casper, WY area. Along with the great story of law and justice, Rude inserts phrases that are unique and fitting. Very refreshing. Keep up the great work Mr. Rude. I'm eagerly awaiting your next book. 

Policing Done Right

 Nashville Police made us proud. They stormed the school and ended the killing. Shame we lost more lives. This is one of them moments when a picture is worth a million words.

Ireland

 Pleased to be headed to the Emerald Isle. I will keep readers from across the pond up to speed on the when's and where's. My new story 'People Shooter' should be available by then.

You can Learn a lot

 from an author. Latest run involved The Twin Cities to Eau Claire - Madison - Milwaukee and perhaps Chicago area communities. Best egg rolls in the world are near the Performing Arts Center in a place called 'The Rice Palace' in Eau Claire.

Two Shared Thoughts on 'The Bee Killer When Soldiers Cry'

Curt, thanks for sharing. When I was a Co . .ctional Officer it was mandatory we did welfare check on inmates classified with PTSD every 15 minutes. We had alot of them. Sometimes officers neglect that and we hear about suicides and lawsuits made by grieving families.

You f- - - - -g nailed it in the Bee Killer. My thanks. Soldiers take it in the shorts and no one is ever in on the know. Thanks buddy.

Click&Read 

Columbine Survivor

 A survivor of the Columbine Massacre, way back on April 20th 1999 has reached out me. I'll call him Mister D. He lives and works in Denver. He laid it out for me. I was stunned. I am currently putting together a school shooting story based on the reality of what it is we've become. 

When a Picture is Worth a Million Words.

 

Truth and Nothing but The Truth

My stories involve human-beings at their worst. Seeing hopefully leads to understanding. I was a cop and had a front seat in the Arena of Murder and Mayhem. I tattle on the doers of wrong, to hopefully make the World a better place. You're invited to read away or listen to an audio book today.

At The Apollo with you know who!  

Ireland

I am headed to Ireland. Totally excited about the Emerald Island and look forward to hanging out with Book Lovers. Thanks so much for all the interest to have made this possible. Not sure who else is set to appear. All the thanks in the world for my representation with the Barone Literary Agency. Check It Out