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Subscribe to RSSHeidi Bergman Sodani, whose 22-year-old daughter Farrah was wounded in the Aurora shootings says her daughter is asking if "everyone else is ok?"
By Marcus Harun
NBC News
A 22-year-old victim of the mass shooting in Aurora, Colo., will soon be released from the hospital, a recovery credited to the quick thinking of her boyfriend’s father.
Michael White Sr. had met his son’s girlfriend, Farrah Soudani, only one other time before they attended the midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises,” accompanied by White Sr.’s own girlfriend and his daughter.
About 15 minutes into the movie, when a gunman began firing in the crowded theater, Soudani was hit. Her boyfriend, 33-year-old Michael White Jr., also was hit and unable to help her.
White Sr., a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran, sprang into action.
“The guy just kept shooting … so then I heard a pause; I figured he was reloading, and I grabbed my daughter and my girlfriend and I grabbed them by the head and told them, ‘Escape, go this way, get out, stay low, go out this way,’” said White Sr., 55.
But Soudani’s leg and abdomen were torn open by shrapnel. Her boyfriend, White Jr., had been shot in his torso and couldn’t move.
“I saw the gunman start shooting again so I took off my shirt and I put the shirt onto her, holding her guts in,” White Sr. said.
He tried to slow her severe bleeding while shots were still flying. He looked up and saw the gunman walk up the steps toward them and reload. White Sr. said that’s when he jumped onto Soudani, trying to block her from the next gunshots.
In two remarkable stories of survival, one woman saves the life of her best friend, and a father protects his son's girlfriend after she was badly wounded. NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.
“If he was going to take out somebody, let him take out one person and I’ll save her,” White Sr. said. “Then her and my son can still have a life together hopefully.”
But before the next gunshot was fired, suddenly, the lights came on and the alarm system sounded.
The gunman, standing two rows in front of White Sr., turned around at the sound of the alarm and ceased fire.
As most people were trying to escape, White Sr.’s girlfriend ran back into the the theater when she realized the whole family didn’t make it out. She said she held Soudani’s head in her lap and said, “You can’t go to sleep. Don’t go to sleep. Look at me.”
They all survived.
Soudani had emergency surgery within hours, and her kidney and spleen were removed. Her stomach, left knee and diaphragm were all seriously injured, and she now faces up to three more surgeries, doctors said.
The human body only holds about nine units of blood, doctors told them, and Soudani had already been given at least 40 units.
White Jr. had surgery after a bullet cracked his rib, and he has now been discharged from the hospital.
‘I’m in debt to him for the rest of my life’
Soudani has been in and out of consciousness but still maintains her sense of humor and also her caring nature, Soudani’s mother, Heidi Bergman Soudani, told NBC News.
“I am so grateful I have my daughter; a lot of other people don’t have their kids or their loved ones because of what happened,” she said. “She is a very strong person. She is feisty and she is not giving up.”
While lying in her hospital bed, Soudani has asked repeatedly if everyone else is OK, Bergman Soudani said.
Both of Farrah Soudani’s parents are very thankful for the White family’s heroic acts that saved their daughter’s life.
“I am in debt to him for the rest of my life,” said her father, Sam Soudani. “I really can’t describe it in words. I came up and hugged him and I gave him a kiss.”
White Jr. and Soudani have been in a relationship only for a few months, and the shooting has brought them — and their families — even closer together.
“The first time I met her she was somebody that you couldn’t get upset with,” White Sr. said of Farrah Soudani. “She was respectful to me when we first met. It’s just something I knew that if she went out with my son she would make him very happy and I know he would make her very happy.”
Despite all his efforts, White Sr. says he is not a hero, he’s “just Mike.”
“My son was a hero because he was trying to get up and save her but he couldn’t move because he was shot, so he was trying to crawl over,” White said. “There are other people that are heroes.”
Leave a Comment:
You, Mr. White. Are a hero.
These type of stories bring a tear to my eyes and restore my faith in humanity...
If only everybody was as caring as the folks from these two families.. ?
This is the type of news I like to see. There are still a lot of good people out there.
The best way to fight crazed killers is through strength and unity of good loving people. It reminds us all that humanity still exists. There is so much focus on negativity in this world today. Seeing and hearing these stories of friendship and courage restores my faith in humanity.
What a pair! To run back into a theater with the gunman still there. Now that should be considered hero material too!
More like wife material.
Thanks again; there will be more stories as more wounded are getting better. May the wounded have God-speed recovery. God bless.
My mom, Michelle Reese, is Mike (Sr.)'s girlfriend. I am so proud of her.
Wow, you must have been pretty freaked out for awhile there! I'm sending all the positive energy I can toward the injured. Here's hoping you can all have a big party soon with everyone involved!
Thank you Holly. I was very scared when I got the phone call, even then I didn't understand the awful-ness of it until I started reading the news later that day. Mike (Sr.) and my mom have been together for quite some time now, he has taken her to Casper to see my sister and I on numerous occasions including each of our high school graduations. He has a special place in our hearts. He told her to get on the ground when it all started. He saved her, and they saved Farrah and Michael. I couldn't be more proud of her.
Shandell, you have every reason to be proud of your mom. From what the article says, she went back in to the theater and helped this young woman until rescue could get there. That shows a lot of courage! I hope you all stay strong and get through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Two very special people, my hats off. It appears Mike Jr would have shown the same grain, if he hadn't been injured.
Hooah!
My condolences to the families and best wishes to the survivors. My son is in Aurora, he broke his phone, so I didn't know if he was there or not. He wasn't.
Shandell, I agree with everyone here. You have a lot to be proud of. The first time I heard this story, I had tears in my eyes. So touching and so powerful. I too send all the energy of good wishes to everyone there. Recovery is on the way - one day at a time, as is an ever lasting bond between friends and families.
My heart goes out to all the people who have lost loved ones and my thoughts to all those still in a recovering process.
It is this bravery and comradery that will save our world from peril. Please tell your mother and Mike Sr. that Minnesota says thank you!!
Shandell, your Mom and Mike are truly heroic and you deserve to be proud! God bless Farrah, Mike and all of your families!
God bless everyone who was touched by this tragedy.
Thanks everyone. Michael got to go home the other day and Farrah is getting better slowly but surely. My mother has some previous problems that have been highly complicated in light of this tragedy. She was admitted to the hospital yesterday and our family is trying to get her help to cope with everything that has happened. Thank you for all of your kind thoughts and prayers I will be sure to pass them along to my mom, Mike, Michael, and Farrah.
Who really knows how one will react in such an unpredictable, horrific situation. Me...I hope I would react like Mr. White.
Good Evening Mr.Williams, a fine broadcast this evening as always.
With regards to this posting and how Farrah Soudani survived the terrible shooting at the movie theater it is truly through great heroic efforts of Michael White Sr. to help protect her and his son, Michael White Jr. from the barrage of gunfire. A harrowing and frightening experience as Farrah Soudani and Michael White Jr. were suffering from gunshot wounds amidst thee chaos of gunfire throughout the theater as others were suffering too. Michael White Sr. certainly did exactly what was needed in applying protecting his son and his girlfriend. One hopes that Farrah Soudani makes a strong and quick recovery. Ones thoughts and prayers go out to her family and to Michael White Sr. and his son along with their whole family. Such a tragic and sad incident. Ones thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who lost loved ones and to those injured may they recover quickly.
The report by Mr.Almaguer from Aurora showed how bonds of family and friends became even stronger amidst this terrible tragedy. Hearing how two girls survived the tragedy with one applying pressure the the artery of her friend with her fingers and carrying her out to an ambulance across two parking lots was incredible. One staying to protect the other and saving her life is certainly heroic and heartwarming. These two girls' friendship has a lasting bond forever. It really shows what friendship means.
On another note it is always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast and seeing his report from inside Syria showed the violence of the Assad regime is relentless. Richard reporting from Atareb showed the town is ruins with so many lives lost. Assad's regime forces fighting hard in many cities trying to crush each one, but the rebels are fighting back. So tragic to see the destruction of the town and learn how a mother lost her son to the violence and how the government headquarters was used for torture. Rebel fighters are the only ones occupying the town now as the Assad regime keeps attacking Aleppo and all the cities around it. Learning the Assad government may have chemical weapons is extremely frightening. One hopes they do not use them at all. One hopes and prays for peace.
Nice piece by Meredith Vieira about the women athletes on the US Olympic Team and how there are more women than men on the US Team. So much talent amongst the women on the team. Many great women athletes from all around the world. Hearing from the one woman from Afghanistan who is running on the track events showed she has endured much hardship to get to the London Olympics. One hopes all the women do well!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!
Be Well Everyone!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard! Excellent Reporting as Always!
Take Exra,Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
Lisa
He couldn't have hurt and killed as many people with a knife or a stick.
Only with a gun.
Yes, and No: He could't have hurt as many with a knife or stick. If a gun was not availalbe, he would have resorted to a improvised explosives, more leathal gasses, fire, and moving vehicles as weapons. Guns do not kill people. People kill people - and determined people like this will use whatever means they can.
I wished the police had had "shoot to kill orders". It would have save tax payers money. Since he planned this down to the last trip wire in his apartment, he knew exactly what he was doing, and I call that pre meditated murder. I hope Colorado has the the death penalty.My heart goes out to these poor people and they shouldn't have to relived this tragic event in law. They will probably have to listen to, how the shooter had a terrible home life or how he was bullied at school, and on and on trying to justify why he did what he did. Well boo hoo. What about the victims who may be paralyzed, or the brain injuries which will change their lives forever. Wives, husbands, children and friends have lost their beloved spouses, moms, dads, and friends forever. How in God's name can his lawyers even represent this mad man. I guess because we are ruled by rule of law and not by the rule of man. I just wished they would make an exception on this person.
Some people choose airplanes and box cutters. Motivated people will kill. It doesn't matter whether something is banned or not. They will find a way. We can't ban every weapon because any object can be converted into or simply used as a weapon. Therefore we have to fix the people who choose to kill, not the inanimate objects with which those killers kill.
Using the logic of banning guns would dictate that we ban cars because drunk drivers kill people with them.
The police would have to have been using something akin to Napalm. This guy was covered head to toe in ballistic body armor. I don't know how easily they could have killed him.
People here argue that if theater goers were legally carrying loaded guns that he could have been stopped. This guy would have picked off most of them in seconds. The notion that everybody and their dead uncle walking around with loaded guns would deter violence is patently absurd.
David and Brandon,
Yes and no... Well if he didn't have a gun, he couldn't have used a gun, Beyond that everything you have written is just conjecture. YOu don't know he would have used a bomb. You have no way of knowing that, yet you and the governor keep throwing that out like it is a proven fact.
TO follow your logic in the other direction, why isn't it legal and easy to get and carry radioactive material? Plastic explosives? Nitroglycerin?
"Bombs don'n kill people, people do."
The "car versus guns, which is deadlier" argument is a straw pony constructed by the gun lobby.
THe truth of the matter is that lots of things are already against the law. See many people walking their pet gorillas or lions in public places lately? How about poisonous snakes? This is common sense. Only mass murders (and the military) need automatic weaponry. So why protect the rights of someone to kill lots of people fast?
FOr the record, I honor the second amendment. But let's not be tools of the gun manufactures many of whom are not even based in the US. They only care about their profit, not about our rights or our lives.
And to continue with the "guns don't kill people, people kill people" platitude---here are a few more to consider that the NRA doesn't sanction:
Guns don't die. people die.
Guns don't kill people. People who like guns kill people.
Totally agree logical positivist. And, for all the NRA members and supporters out there, can one of you tell me why anyone in this country needs an assault rifle? We all know the framers of the 2nd amendment hadn't even heard of assault rifles because, if they did, they would have banned them.
Absurd? I think not. This clown stood in plain-view shooting folks because he knew precisely that they were unarmed. If more people carried, there would be a lot less folks running around shooting other people up in public places. Do you really wanna try and convince yourself that if the same theater were full of police officers or military personnel and each was armed, that this guy would have tried the same thing? NO! Because he would have been dead faster than his first victim.
Gun control freaks just won't ever get it. If all guns were banned, then only the bad guys would have them, that's why they're called bad guys. Law abiding citizens oft times suffer from the ignorance of those that are afraid of such things, i.e. guns. Even if bad guys couldn't get their hands on guns, they'd resort to other devices that kill in masses, like fertilizer. Should we ban all forms of fertilizer too, since Oklahoma City suffered the wrath of a bad guy who didn't use a gun?
Banning guns entirely won't stop these heinous monsters from committing these mass murders. Gun control politicians know this, but they continue the call for strict gun control laws simply to garner votes. Educate yourself.
Pat-#@!&!#@ The notion that everybody and their dead uncle walking around with loaded guns would deter violence is patently absurd. Pat, you're dumb. Yes, he was covered head to toe, but only his front side was covered in armor and even if his back side was too, there are still areas of the body left exposed with ANY armor. A marksman could have easily taken him out with the proper shot. logical positivist- Guns don't kill people. People who like guns kill people. You are dumb too. I love guns, shoot them every chance I get, kill many, many animals with them legally. Never killed a single person though, never wanted to, never tried to, never hoped to, and hope I'll never have to. But I sure as hell want the option to if I NEED to. hereiam999 also dumb. Totally agree logical positivist. And, for all the NRA members and supporters out there, can one of you tell me why anyone in this country needs an assault rifle? We all know the framers of the 2nd amendment hadn't even heard of assault rifles because, if they did, they would have banned them. Go ahead and ban guns if you wish, that way the only people with them will be the people who want to murder you're dumb*ss :). And if you're proposing to ban only automatic weopons ("assault rifle" is a dirty term coined by crying liberals to put a nasty connotation on the idea of automatic weapons) the result will be the same; only those who wish to kill you will own automatic waeapons. There is absolutely positively NO possible way to take guns out of the hands of criminals, only out of the hands of decent people. All you F#@$ing nutjobs out there who are scared of guns are only scared because you have never held one, never used one, and probably never even seen one other than in movies. You get your facts and ideas of guns and gun control from television, movies, and the media...all of whom paint a very bleek picture of guns. You whiney-*ss liberals so scared of what you don't understand, have probably never even been out of the city, never walked through the forest, never swam in a lake where you can see the bottum 20 feet below you, never seen the Aurora Borealis (or even know what it is), never seen the true night sky, never truley lived life. Get the hell out of this country and go to Canada if you don't like guns eh, we don't need you and we don't want you, you anti-American liberals; guns built this country and the second they are taken away from us is the second they will destroy it!!
Alright I see some spelling errors in there, sorry about that; I was worked up over the idiocy of the comments I was reading and typed it in a hurry and didn't spell check it. I hope it does not detract too much from its viability, I know it does for me when other people use incorrect spelling and grammer.
Eb, better familiarize yourself with the CoH or you won't be around here long.
If this shooting does not make congress do something about the availability of guns then every setting Representative of the people of this Great county should be held responsible for the deaths and injuries cause by the shooting . They should be removed from congress as soon as possible. Every sitting Representative should be forced to resign. The National Rifle association should disbanded.I at one time was a member but when I read some of the information in their magazine I dropped out. I also think in order to buy ammunition for any gun you have to go to the local precinct of the police department.
More gun laws won't stop criminals from getting and using guns. If criminals followed the laws they wouldn't be criminals would they?
Kittstar (cute name);
Thing here is.. he wasn't a criminal, he DID follow the law to buy guns in the proper legal manner... So it then becomes obvious that the LEGAL way to get guns that allow him to BECOME a criminal is not working working...
Hence, the laws need changed
He was a criminal, no one else knew it til this happened. What he did was so awful there is no way he wasn't already a criminal. Maybe he never acted on his criminal intentions before, but he IS a criminal!
just remember, however you change the laws will NOT effect criminals. They will obtain guns and ammunition by other means that are unlawful. Any law put into place will only effect the law-abiding citizens.
How will you protect your family if the need arises?
A bettter bet than bans; if you really want to stop people from doing this -- is to require every adult over the age of 21 to carry a side-arm. Guns don't kill people; people kill people. When good people have guns, bad people are detered.
Agreed. How many mass shootings have to happen before people have the guts to stand up to the NRA? I think it's only a matter of time before they lose their power, just as the anti-gay movements has…
In the meantime, White Sr.: You are awesome!
United States gun deaths: 9,369
Spain: 97 - as just an example of a nation with stricter gun laws. For example, Machine guns and submachine guns are banned.
They should make bombs and IEDs illegal so people without criminal records cannot manufacture or possess them. Why don't you write your congressman, Frederick and tell him you want laws passed making possession and manufacture of explosive devices illegal? D'oh! wait, they already are illegal to make and possess. Somebody should have told James Holmes they were illegal so he wouldn't have made so many of them. Wouid you feel better if he ran them over in the parking lot with a Ford F-150?
To better reiterate what Fox said,
Holmes did not become a criminal when he obtained these guns. Everything he bought was done so legally through legal channels. He became a criminal when he started shooting.
Legally bought guns should never be used in the commission of crimes like this. If they are then it is a sign that the requirements for obtaining guns legally are too lax. I always like the "illegally gotten the guns" argument. It does not matter and has no meaning.
Legally bought guns are much worse when used in these crimes then illegally gotten ones.
Personally, I'm opposed to gun ownership. I've always maintained that the people who think they need to carry guns around in public are exactly the ones who SHOULD NOT be carrying them.
That being said however, statistics don't lie. Violent crime with guns is down significantly. I don't have the statistics readily available, but I seem to remember something like 40% decline over the past decade.
As much as I hate guns, I can't support changing the laws now. Changing laws as a knee-jerk reaction to a tragedy like this won't serve anything. It's through on-going talks when everyone is not emotional from an event like this that we can truly come up with legislation that will make us safer.
Good job soldier! America needs more people like you. You Sir, are a hero. o7
Heroes are not born they are cornered. When some are corned some act as heros some act as cowards. Some take the hard way out some take the easy way out. White Sr. took the hard way out. He is a Hero!
You sir are most certainly a HERO as heros never take credit, just action...
God bless you and yours.
if someone wants a gun they will get a gun. laws against guns can't stop people from getting guns. laws can't stop people from getting explosives. laws can't stop people from getting drugs. how about stop making guns , explosives and drugs we don't need. OH that’s right MONEY why else do people do it. the root of all evil.
I am repeating this I realize:
Thing here is.. he wasn't a criminal, he DID follow the law to buy guns in the proper legal manner... So it then becomes obvious that the LEGAL way to get guns that allow him to BECOME a criminal is not working working...
Hence, the laws need changed
His actions were criminal. He bought the guns and decided to become a criminal. He could have done the same by buying a car and running over kids at a bus-stop. Guns are not required for people to decide do bad things -- and banning guns will not stop determined people from doing bad things. Putting guns in the hands of good people is a deterant.
im repeating too.....:)
just remember, however you change the laws will NOT effect criminals. They will obtain guns and ammunition by other means that are unlawful. Any law put into place will only effect the law-abiding citizens.
How will you protect your family if the need arises?
Bravo to Mr. White Sr. and his girlfriend for helping save this young woman's life, and I hope she makes a complete recovery.
Re: gun ban - don't think we should have a complete gun ban but think an assault weapons ban is a good idea. You can hunt, shoot recreationally, and protect yourself without assault weapons. Don't see why anyone would need these types of firearms that can be easily used for mass shootings.
A woman posted the other day that there should be a licensing and registration requirement for guns, similar to licensing and registration needed to drive and own a car. Records could be kept that are shared across states the way driver's info is shared. Not a bad idea.
But some people are using this incident to call for more guns and saying that everyone should be armed. Posts 6.5 and 10.2 are examples - if all "good people" have guns, "bad people" will be deterred. Really? Set aside the fact that that concept brings us back to the days of the wild west and supposedly we've progressed since that time. My question is: how can you tell who the "good people" are?
Posts above say that Holmes was a criminal. He is now, but before this horrible event, he wasn't - you don't brand someone a criminal for their thoughts. And bad thoughts don't necessarily make a bad person either -- if they did, there'd be a lot more people guilty of adultery without ever having done the deed.
No, Holmes was not a criminal. As far as we know, he purchased these weapons legally. The guy was a camp counselor who had never been in trouble with the law. So, just how are you going to know who the "good people" are? Is there a secret handshake? A code word?
Pretty sure the Germans tried the concept of dividing the population into good people and bad people back in the '30s and '40s. Didn't work then, either.
Fox- I own all legal and legally bought firearms, and I haven't shot anyone. Hence the laws need not be changed.
This is NOT the place for you nimrods to start this...go away.
As most people point out. People who want to kill people, WILL kill people. It doesn't matter how. If someone is determined to do harm to someone else, all the laws and rules in the world aren't going to stop them. Guns don't kill people, it's the bullets. The bullets that are in the gun, forced out by the pulling of a trigger. Sounds stupid to me to explain it that way, but it's the sad truth. No one forced anyone to pull the trigger. He did that on his own accord. He also did it with ILLEGAL firearms. He may have purchased the ammo in a correct fashion, but the guns he did not. No one complains about gun laws when they are used correctly to save lives. There will always be someone, somewhere who isn't going to follow the rules, even if they make stricter gun and ammo laws.
Aside from throwing 2 cents out there for everyone to hate on or ignore, it was very courageous of this man to risk his life for someone he barely knows. There were many people who in the moment, showed their true colors and risked their lives to help others. I can only hope that they can find peace and comfort from the sacrifices of others. He is truly a hero.
MM. Blow me.
So, Stonepipe, based on your desire for MM to perform oral sex on you, does that mean you're gay too? Let's see - heavily armed gay man with a hostility and anger management problem. You're giving real gays a bad name.
No mommy I am not gay. But could use a b.j. You sure got a pretty mouth.
This incident is only the beginning of many such incidents in this country.
First: Mike, you ARE a hero. Thank you for saving others. It was one of (I hope) several stories that will come to be known in the next days, or weeks. A hero is someone who overcomes his/her fear to do something agains their best interest but that will help others. Yup, that's just what you did. You're a hero.
Um, Ken, this is not the beginning, it's a continuation. Remember the kid in the bell tower in Texas in the 50's? The wild west? American revolution?
America has had a love affair with guns. Weird, but true.
I don't think the founding fathers had any intention of putting weapons that can fire 100 bullets in a minute (or whatever). They had muskets that took a long time to load between firing.
The Second Ammentment was a way of insuring that citizens would not be at the mercy of a really bad government ("no taxation without representation" sorts of situations). The second ammendment in the 1700's was about families being able to own muskets, not assault weapons with huge magazines that have no purpose other than killing as many people in the shortest amount of time.
There are members of my family that hunt and they eat what they hunt. I am not anti-gun, I am, however, anti-murder and anti gun violence. I see no need to make these huge magazines available to anyone except the military. And even then...maybe not so much.
So why can't these killing weapons be banned? The government isn't coming for your hunting rifles but I don't think I would be against banning the sale of guns made for no other reason than to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time possible.
Oh, and the kevlar (or whatever) protection? Why not stop letting anyone buy those things, ok? The guy in Colorado had protection pretty much from head to toe. Let's see if we can stop that, ok? That stuff is not protected by any ammendment. It would not have done any good for anyone in Colorado to have a gun to fire back at that guy would it? No, I didn't think so.
Common sense people. We need to have common sense. Stop passing laws that are trying to ban abortions, voting, other freedoms we have and try to figure out what to do to curtail (because you'll NEVER stop them completely) these kind of horrific slaughters.
Oh, and what about jobs? Can the government get going on that like everyone promised before they were elected?
Mike,
You stayed behind and applied first aid while chaos was surrounding you, you put your life in danger, decided to give your life so others may live. If that is not a hero I don't know what is.
here here
You know in this era of equal rights, equal treatment, affirmative action, women's power blah blah blah, I NOTICED NONE OF THE WOMEN TOOK A BULLET FOR THEIR BOYFRIENDS OR SIGNIFICANT MALE OTHERS. When the solid waste hits the fan, women cower and run for cover. This is precisely why women should never be allowed in combat. Under stress women are not capable of functioning. Good Men Die, then their girl friends go on Oprah.
Any of you women advocates care to rationalize, hormonalize, or other wise justify the female cowardice?
Dear "Facts and Truth" - there are a whole bunch of Israeli soldiers who'd take issue with your inflammatory stereotyping...if they bothered to respond to you at all. From recent personal experience, I can assure you women are VERY capable of functioning in crisis.
Now, back to the basement, troll.
Excuse me, Facts and Truth, but there was a female hero in that theater. There may be others, but perhaps they were killed or are in the hospital, still in critical condition. The female hero is the one who put her finger into the neck of her best friend when the friend was shot in a neck vein -- she then called 911 with her free hand and when the shooting stopped, she carried her friend (still plugging the vein with her finger), across 2 parking lots to an ambulance. If that's not heroic, I don't know what is. Mike White is a hero, as is this young girl (only 19 or 20 years old or so). Please stop trying to divide people. Man or woman -- many were heros that day.
F and T,
Your rational is flawed, as is the place of your idiocy.
Pull your foot out of your mouth and go away.
Your problems with women have no place here. If you read the entire article, you would notice Mike's girlfriend went back in when she noticed that not all of the family made it out.
Would you have done the same?
F&T - your trolling is truly awful and worthless, just like you and your entire family.
Dear "just Mike"
I was raised to respect, not argue with, my elders...then I noticed - I'm older than you!
"Hero: a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities."
Check, check, and check. Youngster, accept it: you ARE a hero. o7
From one US Air Force vet to another.......
OUTSTANDING!
facts & truth: Please give thought to the fact that Women are not 'cowards'...they are women and they have a genetic psychological and physical makeup. Women give birth to all, I say all, of us. Most suffer the pain of giving birth without wincing as that is their nature. Most women would give up their lives to save their kids without a second thought.
Your own Mother is/was a woman. If you have children...their Mother will be a woman.
WVD,
In truth I hope he doesn't have children. He should be applauding courage here, not spewing all over a truly heroic act.
WVDawg, give em hell, you right about everything........except the part about "Most suffer the pain of giving birth without wincing as that is their nature". I have no idea how many ZENA WARRIOR PRINCESS births you've witnessed, but the many I have had the "honor" of witnessing were rather LOUD and MULTI-WINCING Miracles of Nature. They ALL were incredible ladies that took an active part in the birth of their babies, they also ALL were a bit, should I say irritated, with the proud, ducking, Fathers as some would make reference to NEVER TOUCHING MY @*&$!@(+!! AGAIN!!!!! (wording altered to protect the innocent) and one in particular I remember like it was yesterday, but it was actually April 1992, where a beautiful mother to be had desired to endure the birth of her child in a totally "natural" manner, (no drugs), after being induced to begin the process of "Labor" two of the most painful, horribly frightening hours had elapsed (they were tough on my dear wife & expectant mother to-be as well) when I couldn't take it any longer and said that I insist that you have the anesthesiologist give her an "epideral" before anymore breathing or puff,puff,puff takes place, and we both were thanking GOD within a VERY short period of time the Doctor completed the procedure and I was then able to remove the Long, Beautiful Finger Nails that were embeded in my forearm and stop the bleeding and the process of Childbirth was back in full swing and my Dear Wife (at that time) was smiling and actually enjoying the whole thing, (I was in shock, really) and then it happened, we became parents. When the drugs wore off, she realized she was stiched up like Rawlings HardBall (BaseBall), the smile was gone and so was any chance of my having sex again for what must have been six long months....I pointed out that life just aint fair at times because it was her idea to go to that Bed and Breakfast on the Island of Victorria BC, she always had a thing for Bed and Breakfasts, within moments, I felt new acrylic fingernails sinking into my other arm, then I realized, again, just how very much I loved that girl, but that I wasn't paying for her trips to the Nail Salon EVER AGAIN! and that when I would look at her with my son, our first child, I was just in awe of how much I loved her for the gift she had given me and how much more beautiful an incredibly beautiful woman could become with our child in her arms......... seriously. Oh, almost forgot, I have never, ever, witnessed a "wincless" birth..... but EVERYTHING ELSE YOU (WVDawg) SAID IS THE TRUTH. Thanks for allowing for a little humor..;-) It helps me during those days that we wish would just go away, ya know...
This is a great thing to read about after having read and heard so about so much pain, suffering and loss as a result of the actions of this very sick SOB, for this I am grateful. I am sure we will be hearing more stories of individuals helping the injured or being prepared to sacrifice their own well-being in an effort to safeguard loved ones as well as perfect strangers, thankfully that is a common trait among human beings that were brought up by parents that showed their love clearly during the period of development of their children, which is what makes for GOOD Human Beings. I really believe this is what is missing in these generations we are seeing with very little regard for human life, cruelty and lack of conscience that has taken a terrible toll on our society over the last twenty years and especially the last decade of senseless, horrific crimes against unsuspecting helpless people just trying to enjoy life...... perhaps by enjoying a night at the movies with friends and loved ones.
To the injured: I wish you a speedy recovery or at least as painless as possible.
To the survivors of those lost: My sincere condolences, my heartfelt sympathy for this pain you never should have had to experience. Being able to cherish the time we have had with the people that we love is, at times, all we have left; but then in time we begin to recall more about those we loved and lost and those are newly found memories that will bring a tear to our eye and then a smile in our hearts.... the difficult part is the time and pain that needs to be experienced before reaching this point....it is important to know in your heart, that this time will come, if you just hold on and have faith things will get better...I promise you
I was deeply impressed with Matt McQuinn unselfish act of saving his girlfriend life; my condolences to his family and girlfriend. I was disgusted with Isaiah Bow's mentality, me first and forget my girlfriend of two and half years. Isaiah never look back for his girlfriend until he was safely out of the building and didn't go back in until after the shooting was finish. A man's true character is shown in the heat of the moment which he showed her where he'll be when she needs him most, not by her side. She should dump him and find a real man.
Well put and very true regarding "true colors" coming out in times like this. I didn't read the article that states the actions you refer to, can you tell me where I can find these articles so I can check them out myself also? Thanks
"Megan's boyfriend of 2½ years, Isaiah Bow."
"Megan's boyfriend, Isaiah, had already jumped over the seats and made his escape through the emergency exit door, figuring Megan and their friends were close behind. But before Megan could get out, she saw the gunman turn to look at Isaiah. She hit the floor once more, as the shooting began all over again."
I hope I'm wrong about this guy, but jumping over seats and making his escape without her does not sound good.
Trying again.
www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/jul/20/police-12-dead-colorado-theater-shooting/?news
I tried to put the url address in my previous post, but I guess the site erases links.
You do not know what you would do in such a situation. Perhaps Isaiah thought the only way to save other folks was to escape to call for help. Unless you were there, do not judge.
@Wants to know Some of us have been in situations where one or more persons were shooting at us with deadly intent, this was a time that allowed me to learn just what my reaction would and would not be. The one thing I will state here is that I learned that I WOULD NOT LEAVE SOMEONE I CARED FOR, not even to run down the block to call for help...or a pack of smokes and a Diet Coke. I feel for the girl that was left behind, even if she were simply a friend, I couldn't imagine being with someone like this young lady and having that person bolt leaving her behind, the sheer terror and the depth of her sense of abandonment has to be just devastating. Making excuses for that level of selfish, abandonment on SOMEONES behalf is really beyond me. Not making any statement about his action is probably the best route taken, but attempting to excuse or coming up with a half baked reasoning for that action is ridiculous, unless of course his ambulance was parked a few blocks away...
@Wants to Know are you crazy? I don't know what I would do! Yes, I do know what I would do and that's what most people in there did with love ones, help them. Maybe you're a coward or "me first attitude" and you have no idea what you would do and therefore should not judge. From the statements release by Isaiah himself and his girlfriend it's pretty easy to judge this one. I highly doubt Isaiah's thoughts where to forget his girlfriend, get out, and call for help; something about that does not sound heroic or caring but more of a "me first mentality" in the heat of the moment. Was he scared? Hell yeah he was scared, I bet every person in that movie complex, especially in theater nine, was scared. But like I said, a person's "true character" comes out in the heat of the moment and he show his while MOST others show true courage for the ones they love. There where even "some" people helping complete strangers get out before saving themselves and that right there is true heroism, helping someone you don't know.
This is a great thing to read about after having read and heard so about so much pain, suffering and loss as a result of the actions of this very sick SOB, for this I am grateful. I am sure we will be hearing more stories of individuals helping the injured or being prepared to sacrifice their own well-being in an effort to safeguard loved ones as well as perfect strangers, thankfully that is a common trait among human beings that were brought up by parents that showed their love clearly during the period of development of their children, which is what makes for GOOD Human Beings. I really believe this is what is missing in these generations we are seeing with very little regard for human life, cruelty and lack of conscience that has taken a terrible toll on our society over the last twenty years and especially the last decade of senseless, horrific crimes against unsuspecting helpless people just trying to enjoy life...... perhaps by enjoying a night at the movies with friends and loved ones.
To the injured: I wish you a speedy recovery or at least as painless as possible.
To the survivors of those lost: My sincere condolences, my heartfelt sympathy for this pain you never should have had to experience. Being able to cherish the time we have had with the people that we love is, at times, all we have left; but then in time we begin to recall more about those we loved and lost and those are newly found memories that will bring a tear to our eye and then a smile in our hearts.... the difficult part is the time and pain that needs to be experienced before reaching this point....it is important to know in your heart, that this time will come, if you just hold on and have faith things will get better...I promise you
Well, "just Mike", you are a certified hero. You can call yourself whatever you want, but the rest of us will call you a man of distinguished courage.
I morn for what happened and what is happening to our country. I fear we are the generation that pisses it away.
I don't feel that it's appropriate in this particular thread to debate the right to bear arms issue(s). There are plenty of other news topics you can corrupt withthis political bs that just turns into a one side against the other bickering cage match. This one should stay on the subject at hand which is about ordinary people doing extraordinary acts of courage. I cried when I read the first entry or two as I tried to imagine what was going through the minds of those being attacked... then the tears disappeared & anger emerged because there's always some @!$%# that turns a story like this into a nobody wins politically charged shouting match. The gun issue will remain long after the victims heal so take it somewhere else! This is about them & what they went through, not about guns no guns coulda woulda shoulda...thanks
Amazing story of love and heroism!
FACTS & TRUTH: You're a jackass.
Michael White Sr. did show love and he was heroic to his son’s girlfriend, Farrah Soudani. ASSumption, well look in the mirror and learn to read!
As a father of four grown children, I could not read this story w/o getting choked up. This is a story about a man's efforts to save his family. For those of you "off message," please don't turn it into a discussion of anything else.