Did anyone hear about this? (related to CO shooting)

kat81again2

I know we have all heard about the tragic CO shooting so feel free to dismiss this post if you don't want that dredged up. 

But I was wondering if you guys read about the Jarell Brooks - Patricia Legarreta - Jamie Rohrs story. Basically, boyfriend Jamie and girlfriend Patricia attended the movie with their infant son (with Jamie) and 4 yr old daughter (with Patricia). The attack happened, and the mom took a bullet in the leg for her daughter and helped her out of the theater while the dad PUT THE SON DOWN and left. And then he drove away from the theater. The mom found her son and gathered him up as well. Unrelated hero Jarell Brooks saw her struggling with two young children and helped her out, taking a bullet himself. Everyone (from this anecdote) survived and is ok and recovering normally.

Then the mom and the dad got engaged. 

I know it's really, really, really hard to predict what we'd do in the same situation, but I just can't imagine abandoning my infant like that. And even if my instinct to flee was that strong I really can't imagine driving away from the theater with my family in there.

Any thoughts? Would you get engaged to your children's father if he did that? Imagine your DH did it. How would it change your relationship? These are real questions; I'm not trying to judge this woman for getting engaged. I think it would be hard given that they already have kids together.

https://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981488017

kat81again2

yeah she is badass. I admit even upon writing this I think I am a flight person. But I think the equation changes when you have kids. I just hope I am never put to the test the way these people were.

missmuffin87

I Read about this over on parenting yesterday. I can't believe they got engaged! She should have dumped that Dbag dad.

EarsToYou

Obviously not having been in that situation (Thank God!) it's hard to say, but I think I would have KILLED the bf for leaving our infant on the floor of the theater.  Being shot aside, he could have been trampled!  I also feel that when you're a parent things change and your instincts would be to protect your kids first no matter what.  I don't know though, maybe dad's don't feel it as strongly? 

As far as being a fight or flight type person, I'm more of a fight.  I was getting gas and a homeless person came up around the front of my truck with no warning, and my first reaction was how to take them out and protect L. 

But yeah, I feel like that relationship may be at an end for me...

lrn327

Wow, that is crazy reading that story!  I saw that couple (the woman and her idiot fiance) this morning on one of the national morning shows.  He was rambling on about how when he got up the baby's head dropped back and got stuck between the seats and he couldn't get him unstuck.  He said he was just so scared about getting him out and trying to cover him.  Never once did he mention leaving the baby and running away and he definitely didn't mention this heroic young man that helped to save their lives.  What a DB and I hope she sees the light quickly. 

bumpuser260585

I'd say i'm probably more of a flight type person, but there is no way I would ever leave ds behind. Does anyone else find it odd that the couple had their young children at a midnight movie? I could almost see having an infant with you because he would sleep the whole time, but a 4 year old? If you can't get a sitter, don't go to the premiere.

Gidgetwho

I'm going to play devil's advocate here.  I'm not saying that ditching the infant and his family was noble or even ethical, but the baby was probably safer on the floor behind the seat.  People were being shot as they fled the theater and the guy was really lucky not to be shot on his way out.  The theater was dark and the four month old would have been hard to see tucked against the seat backs or even under the seats and probably safer than running the gauntlet on the way out of the theater.  

But to answer your question.  I can't believe the guy left his entire family to save himself.  I would have gotten out of the relationship, because he clearly doesn't value her or their children's lives even as much as his own. 

ETA:  I didn't read LRN's reply that said the baby was stuck between the seats.  Definitely not safer.  I guess I just wanted the baby to be tucked back under the seats hidden from sight, as much as possible... 

LuckyladyJ

some times people get signs & ignore them for whatever reason.Here he is the father of your child/children & he abandons you,but a stranger saves you.

I wonder how they are going to get through the vows? 

stephy1221

SpitsNGiggles:

Does anyone else find it odd that the couple had their young children at a midnight movie? I could almost see having an infant with you because he would sleep the whole time, but a 4 year old? If you can't get a sitter, don't go to the premiere.

Yes, I do. Well maybe not odd since I am seeing it more and more, even at magic Mike but I don't agree with it. I could see an older kid who is a huge batman fan letting them come with me as a treat but kids this young no way. I would have totally dumped this guy not a doubt on my mind.

jillybean800

What surprises me is that he actually admitted to all of this in an interview.  If I had totally choked like that, it would be like, the shameful family secret.  And I don't know about that head thing, the mom said she found her baby on the floor at the bottom of the stairs...sounds like a cover up after the fact. 

Serendipity117

I have a really hard time with this. As others have said it is probably a fight or flight thing but when your child is involved it should always be fight.

I think both DH and I are fight people. A couple years ago we went to a family 4th of July party where we were lighting off fireworks. Well, one of the big ones tipped over and started shooting everywhere. We were by two of my young cousins, we grabbed them and ran for cover. Everyone was ok but it was very scary at the time. I know this situation isn't even close to being on the same level as the shooting but it was still dangerous. I just think now that those aren't even my kids and I wanted to protect them, what would i do to save my own?

As for the guy, he'd be gone and he'd have a hard time getting me to let him see his children. 

LibberDuck

Wasn't it this guy who they reported to have "some military experience"?  I'm not sure exactly what they mean by this, since I'm not sure how someone can have only a little bit of military experience, but whatever.  IMHO, the guy is a d-bag.  She should have kicked him to the curb, not gotten engaged to him! 

MrsDe2008

I know you don't know what you would do unless you were in that position, but I'm pretty sure I would NEVER leave my children behind in this situation. And I'm pretty sure, neither would DH.

If this were the case, I could never marry a man that would put himself before his children. That's just disgusting.

julesmarie80

I know you can't imagine what you would do unless you were in that situation, but I know I would fight to the death for my kids. I read about this and told dh that I know I made a vow until death do us part, but I would divorce his sorry butt if he ever did that.