A gunman bursts into an office building, firing at anyone in sight. Frightened workers run for their lives. Victims lay wounded on the ground. And a SWAT team hurries in, secures the scene and takes care of the injured.
This is not an actual shooting.
This is not an actual shooting.
Law enforcement agencies, including Las Vegas police, Nevada Highway Patrol and North Las Vegas police, practiced what to do if a gunman takes over a building on Wednesday at the Grant Sawyer State Complex in Las Vegas.
"It's really challenging," said Officer Dave Gibson with the Nevada Department of Public Safety. "It's as close the real thing as you can get."
"Gunshot wounds, broken legs, I saw a role player with glass sticking out of their arms," said Trooper Jason Buratczuk, with Nevada Highway Patrol. "It gets intense. It's hot, they're wearing all that gear, carrying heavy guns, they're moving fast."
A siege can be terrifying.
"It's really challenging," said Officer Dave Gibson with the Nevada Department of Public Safety. "It's as close the real thing as you can get."
"Gunshot wounds, broken legs, I saw a role player with glass sticking out of their arms," said Trooper Jason Buratczuk, with Nevada Highway Patrol. "It gets intense. It's hot, they're wearing all that gear, carrying heavy guns, they're moving fast."
A siege can be terrifying.
“These officers have to make entry and see that carnage in that front lobby," Gibson said.
Officers never know what to expect.
“We think to ourselves. If there's one shooter -- there's two -- so we're always looking for two," Gibson said.
It's especially challenging in a building lot of floors and places to hide.
"We actually have to watch out for ourselves because if there are two that could be an ambush on us," Gibson said.
No matter the risk, officers have to remain sharp to look out for us when we need them the most.
“Every officer would be scared in that situation, but we have a job to do and that's to save lives," Buratczuk said
Divisions within the Nevada Department of Public Safety along with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Attorney General’s Office Legislative Police, Gaming Control Board, Las Vegas City Marshals, Secretary of State Office and fire departments from the City of Las Vegas and Clark County took part in the exercise.
