Justice

The Stories From Inside the San Bernardino Massacre

December 4th 2015

In the aftermath of the shooting in San Bernardino, California that killed 14 people and injured at least 17 others, details of the ones inside the Inland Regional Center and their families are emerging. Here are some of their stories.

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Kevin Ortiz

The Los Angeles Times reports that 24-year-old Kevin Ortiz was a county environmental inspector who was shot three times—twice in the leg and once in the shoulder. But amid the chaos and despite his painful injuries, Ortiz managed to call his wife of two weeks and share a tender exchange. "Kevin said he had been shot three times and that he was in pain but that he was all right," Dyanna Ortiz said. "Then he said, 'I love you.' And I said, 'I love you.'" Amazingly, he was briefly able to speak to his father. "Kevin called me immediately after he got shot and said, 'I've been shot three times, dad," Carlos Ortiz said. "I'm in pain. Don't worry. There's a policemen with me." Shortly after that the call dropped.

Denise Peraza

Denise Peraza, who was injured during the attack, explained to her sister from a hospital bed exactly what happened the moment the suspects starting shooting. According to the Los Angeles Times, Peraza said that the doors flung open and two men dressed in all black wearing face masks appeared with big guns and started shooting."Everyone dropped to the floor," Peraza told family members. "The guys opened fire for 30 seconds, randomly, then paused to reload and began firing again." Peraza was one of many hiding from the gunfire before she was suddenly hit in the back. According to Peraza, soon after the attackers left, police came on to the scene.

Garrett Lacroix

Garrett Lacroix, who was working at the Inland Resource Center, was able to communicate with his father on the phone as shots rang out. He told his father that alarms were going off and that people were shook up, CBS News reports. "The fire alarm went off, but then someone started shouting in halls there was a possible bomb so we were all told to get back into our office," Lacroix said. "Eventually we saw officers with vests and automatic weapons so we retreated to our room."

Terry Petit

And in an exchange that has now gone viral, Terry Petit received a chilling text message from his daughter who was hiding inside the Inland Resource Center as the tragedy unfolded, according to CBS News.

"People shot," said Petit's daughter in a text message. "In the office waiting for cops. Pray for us. I am locked in the office." The father answered back by saying, "Hide. Find a good spot. Hide now."

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