Glendon Oakley is being called a hero after it was reported that he carried several children to safety during the horrific El Paso, Texas shooting at a Walmart that left 20 people dead and dozens injured at the hands of suspected mass murderer Patrick Crusius.
Talking to local media, Oakley, a U.S. Army specialist, explained that he was shopping at Foot Locker located near the Cielo Vista Mall when he heard the gunshots.
He rapidly noticed several children running away from the shooting without their parents’ insight.
The Fort Bliss soldier did not hesitate and rapidly grabbed as many children as he could and carried them to safety.
Eyewitnesses confirmed to reporters that Oakley, 22, rushed to care and comfort the crying and scared children. Pvt. 1st Class Oakley Jr said his instinct as a soldier kicked in and he pulled out his gun to run to action.
However, after spotting the children, the father in him took over, and he decided to protect them.
This is Glen Oakley.
He was in the @FootLocker when the El Paso shooting happened. When he ran to leave, he saw kids in the mall without their parents, scared and alone.
So he picked up as many as he could and carried them to safety.
Focus on the heroes.#ElPasoShooting pic.twitter.com/1NofPvegjL
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) August 3, 2019
Oakley, who is an automated logistical specialist assigned to the 504th Composite Supply Company stationed at Fort Bliss, said the following: “I’m in a sports store, and I’m shopping — I’m buying a jersey. A little kid runs in talking about there’s an active shooter at Walmart.”
He claimed he did not believe one child at first, but when he heard the gunshots, he reacted.
He explained: “I got my license to carry, so I pulled my gun out. I just started to hide. And I see a whole bunch of kids just running around, you know, without their parents and stuff. So I get my bag in my hand I try to pick up as many as I can. Ain’t much I can do for the kids. So I just made my way out.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjgZfYJnfXY/
Oakley said he was stopped by the police because he was carrying a weapon. After he proved he had his gun legitimately, the authorities let him go.
He went on to say: “I was worried about those kids, man. I wasn’t even worried about myself.”
One person told Oakley: “Shout out to him AND the other hero’s. A 2-year-old survived bc his mom shielded him. She didn’t make it – he’s suffering from broken bones. ?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjIKvKQn0tD/
Another commenter had this advice for him: “I saw this poor guys interview. Make sure he also gets counseling somewhere because his PTSD was kicking in. He was shook!! ??”
This social media user explained: “He said in an interview that when he came out and had the kids and had his weapon on him that they wanted to give him the 3rd degree cause they thought he was the gunman, but the white guy it looked like police were having a conversation with him when he was arrested….it’s not right.?”
Oakley is a real modern hero.
