Mall Claus

You would think that being Santa during Christmas at the mall would be a fun and exciting job, right? But not for this Saint Nick. Not by a long shot.

Ethan Ford stood in a stall in the men’s restroom outside of Dillard’s in the Blackcreek Mall. He was trying to catch his breath and calm down while he made the 911 call.

“911. What’s your emergency?” the 911 operator asked.

Whispering, Ethan replied, “There is an active shooter in the Blackcreek Mall.”

“Sir, I can barely hear you. Did you say you are at the Blackcreek Mall?” the operator asked.

“Yes. There is an active shooter,” Ethan replied again trying not to talk to loudly.

Then the gunshots seemed to be getting closer and closer. Lots of shots. Then he realized the 911 operator had been speaking to him.

“I am sorry. What did you say? The gunshots are getting louder. They must be getting closer,” Ethan said into the phone a little louder than before to make sure she heard him.

“Okay, Sir. I think I understand. You are in the Blackcreek Mall and there is gunshots going off. Correct?” asked the operator.

“Yes, that is correct. I am the Santa from the middle of the mall. When I heard the first shots, I ran in the opposite direction of where they were being fired. I ran towards Dillard’s and down the hall to the restrooms. I am in a stall now. People were scattering and running everywhere. As I was running, I could hear screams coming from behind me and more shooting. I don’t know what is going on,” Ethan said in a panic.

“Okay, calm down. Is there anything you can tell me about how many gunmen, or how many are injured? What about what stores it seemed like the gunmen are in?” the operator asked.

“I honestly don’t know. I can tell you that the shots seem to be louder now near where I am,” he replied.

“Okay. Stay calm. Tell me your name. Mine is Sherri,” the operator said.

“Hi Sherri. My name is Ethan. Ethan Clark,” Ethan replied.

“Hello Ethan. I have officers and the paramedics on the way. Stay calm, stay hidden. Do not go out of the bathroom for any reason until one of the officers comes in to get you. They will announce who they are and ask for you by name, okay? That way you know it is safe to come out,” Sherri told him in a reassuring voice.

“Thank you, Sherri. Please don’t hang up, okay. I don’t think I can make it through this without you,” Ethan said.

“I promise you I will be right here with you until the officers come and get you,” Sherry responded.

As Ethan sat and waited on the officers to come and get him, he started to hear more commotion. There were more gunshots going off.

“Sherry, are you there?” Ethan asked.

“Yes, I am still here,” Sherri replied.

“I hear more gunshots,” Ethan stated.

“It’s okay. The police just got there and SWAT is making an entrance through several of the mall main and side doors as we speak. You may hear a lot of things going on, but remember, no matter what, you stay right where you are,” Sherri told him.

“I will,” Ethan said.

About fifteen minutes later, Ethan hears the door to the restroom open. “Ethan Clark, this is Officer Justin Green. Are you still in here?”

Ethan walks out from the stall and says, “Yes, I am still here.”

The officer asks to speak to the 911 operator, “Ma’am this is Officer Green. I have Mr. Clark.”

As Ethan and the officer head out, Ethan sees blood everywhere and bodies still on the floor. At nineteen years old, he decided at that moment that he would never play Santa again in any mall.