[DoughtyOne]

How far was that room from a cover spot?

If it was 30 feet or more, the down low idea may or may not work. It’s also an iffy situation to hit the target you want to at that range with a handgun.

In other words, even one classroom length away, the shooter could have taken him out with one shot, and he would have had to fire three or four and hope for luck.

And if we’re talking two rooms, it would be more like 60 feet away.

I didn’t say it was a requirement that single officers wait. I said that they just don’t go rushing in without backup. You go rushing in the front door of a big building, and the shooter goes out the back and disappears. You need at least two to prevent this.

Folks, you go ahead and blame this guy and make his life miserable. I don’t think you’re being realistic.

[Theophilus]

Good thing there was no fire.

[A Navy Vet]

"I said that they just don’t go rushing in without backup. You go rushing in the front door of a big building, and the shooter goes out the back and disappears. You need at least two to prevent this. Folks, you go ahead and blame this guy and make his life miserable. I don’t think you’re being realistic."

While I agree with much of your take and not condemn the Deputy until we have the facts, still, he heard the crack of the weapon repeatedly.

We're talking about children here, and even with my lack of combat experience I would have moved in under "duck and cover" if only the slightest chance to distract him until backup arrived. I would have committed suicide as you call it.

Again, we don't know, but as a trained LEO I think he should have headed towards the gunshots. Also, I've read and seen one or two move on a house with a reported shooter many times with just their side arms. I expect First Responders to move forward to the threat and try their best to get a bead on the perp. That's what combat Marines, Army, SEALs, Delta do.

After the Deputy called the threat in, he should have moved in. He knew the school grounds and could hear the sound of the traveling crack of the rifle from place to place. Forget crossfire, according to reports the shooter was on the move which could have given the Cop time to re-position. This was not a hostage situation in a bank where protocol requires one or more patrol type officers to wait for SWAT. These were children being mowed down in different areas for gawd sakes. We'll see how it pans out from the witnesses.

[familyop]

"How far was that room from a cover spot?"

The distance between the attacker and the nearest wall was close enough, and a pistol would have been an advantage. That's beside the point, though. Children were being killed. Police training should be enough to stop someone like Cruz.