Greensboro, NC -- Since the horrific shooting in Aurora, CO. on Friday, even people from the Triad have gone into self-defense mode.
You didn't have to be there when the gunman opened fire to be traumatized. A spokesperson for the Jefferson Community Mental Health Center, who helped trauma victims after the Columbine shootings, said trauma can happen to anyone who has a history of traumatic experiences, those who once felt safe somewhere, but don't anymore, or anyone who identifies with the victims in any way.
On Monday, News 2's Lauren Melvin spoke with folks about their own sense of awareness, and even some new habits they've developed since Friday for their own security.
"I have looked at 'how do I get out of here? Are there people here that fit this particular profile of a quiet, shy or kind of loner type individual?'" said Brandon Allen."It just kind of shakes your foundation. It reminds you that there is evil out there and that sometimes it's unavoidable. So, do we have to always look over our shoulders? Is that what it's going to come to?"
"I'm looking at the exits and seeing who's coming in and what they look like," said Laurette Logan.
"I watch the people around me now more so. When I'm walking, coming and going forward, and I look inside places to see if there's more than one way out," said David Horne.
"I'll go out to dinner or I'll be in a public area and I definitely see people scanning and looking at exit signs maybe a little more often than I think I have before," said Barbara Cini.
However, not everyone feels that way. Others said random is just that, something they can't prevent, and they're not going to play "what if?"
"The guy was a nut, there's a lot of nuts out there, and you can't change your behavior because of that," said Terry Withrow.
"I'm still going to go see the movie on Wednesday and have a good time and I'm not worried about it," said Craig Alley.
"You can't live your life in fear. Like I say, you got to go on with your everyday activity," said Raymond Holliman.
"I don't think any more than normal, but I just continue to pray for those people, and God's the one that's in control," said Alicia Sperry.
For others, what happened in Colorado just reenforces what they already do:
Sit with their back to the wall in a restaurant.
Get an idea of how many people are around them.
Identify all of the exits.
Some people said they also plan to get to know more of their neighbors, so they can better recognize a cry for help.
WFMY News 2