Bradenton deadly medical lab shooting prompts nearby businesses to increase security

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BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) – Thursday marks one week since the deadly shooting at a medical lab in Bradenton. Now, nearby businesses said they are considering taking extra precautions to avoid a similar situation.

Employees at Orchid Dermatology said they are considering having armed employees and doing active shooter drills.

“It seems like in this situation, this could happen to anyone where you have, you know, a relation to yourself where someone is just angry and does something like that,” said dermatologist Kate Gerber.

“So we’re thinking of holding some active shooter drills at our office just in case something like this happens again. So we’re more prepared and know what to do.”

ABC7 talked to an active shooter drill company, Compliance Training Group, and instructors said a lot of employees don’t even know whether a door locks in their office, what restroom they should use to hide in, or how to break a window properly to be able to evacuate.

They add that these are all critical things to have a higher chance of surviving an active shooter.

Unfortunately, the instructor, Bill Butler, said not everyone is able to call 911 right away when an incident like last week’s occurs.

“Just for people to understand just how important this is. You know, the overwhelming majority of active shooter events are over within five minutes. And more than probably 65% are over before law enforcement even arrives. So, people really need to understand these strategies to be able to get through those critical initial minutes before law enforcement arrives,” said Butler.

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