Psychological impact on shootings, and how to cope with it

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)– “We were just shopping, and we randomly heard screaming and saw everybody running”, said Vivian Davis and her Friend Eliza Freberg. They recount how their last-minute shopping at Pacsun was interrupted by screams of an active shooter in the Independence Mall. During the frenzy, management escorted them to the back of the store.

“They let us back out and said everything was ok, and probably five minutes later, they said get to the back, and more people ran in,” said Davis.

Law enforcement responded to several calls of men with guns inside the mall. Later police chased a car onto Wilshire Boulevard, and later arrested 25-year-old Jordan smith, 20-year-old Tristan Allen, 23-year-old Rashaad Rogers, and 19-year-old Damien Turner.

That is likely good news for Davis and Freberg, whose holiday turned horror

“She was crying because it was crazy”, said Davis.

Psychologist Erika Geisler said, “it’s like being a rabbit in a field with a whole bunch of foxes around, and you just don’t know how safe or unsafe you are”. She says the barricaded shopper’s survival instincts kicked in, and that events like the Southport shooting have heighten all our fears.

“What used to happen over there or somewhere else; is now happening in our little world, and that’s really terrifying to think that it could be that close to home”, said Geisler.

Witnesses took to social during both the Independence mall and Walmart evacuations, and Geisler believes that adds to the fear.

“I think it puts everybody on edge, so even somebody who wouldn’t typically have anxiety, might be experiencing that. Especially in crowded areas, because you just don’t know your surroundings”, said Geisler.

Geisler says that on top of the pressure of the holidays, and the decisive political environment creates further anxiety.

“I think most people are under a pressure cooker”, said Geisler.

What can the traumatic shoppers and the rest of us do to cope? Geisler says you can turn the negativity of fear into a positive gesture of hope.

“The beauty that comes from this horrible tragedy, is that we need to be focusing on our community and checking in on our neighbors”, said Geisler.