The 911 Call

We read along from copies of the transcript as the tape was played.

"911. What’s your emergency?"

Then Alan Simon's voice explaining that someone had been pounding on his door, very aggressive, yelling something about Kathy.

The operator asking him his address and whether the person was still there.

The sound of Alan opening his front door, saying something, then the "pop," Alan cursing in surprise, the door slamming, then the rapid "pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop."

Alan’s shocked voice saying, "He SHOT me"" The operator inquiring as to his injuries, asking if the man was still there.

Alan asking where the sheriffs were, couldn't they please hurry, maybe call the Westport fire department and get them to turn the fire siren on to scare the shooter away, just in case he was still there.

Her patient voice explaining it would take at least 20 minutes for the sheriffs to get from Fort Bragg to Westport, that the Westport fire department couldn't come yet because it might not be safe – the shooter might still be in the area.

The call lasted probably 15 minutes, ending when a sheriff arrived at the door and identified himself and the operator verified that it was indeed a sheriff, and not the shooter.

There was something visceral about Alan's shock, and about hearing first the adrenaline in his voice and then hearing his speech slow down as the jolt began to wear off.

Everyone on the jury agreed, the operator had done a wonderful job calming him down and staying with him, although he still must have felt very alone. Not a job any of us wanted, we all said.