Pulse Bouncer And Former Marine / Afghanistan Vet Tells How He Saved Dozens During Shooting
Imran Yousuf, a bouncer at the Pulse nightclub, had an advantage. A Marine who had served in Afghanistan, Yousuf was able to use his training to quickly identify the impending threat and remain clear-headed as people died around him, according to the Marine Corps Times. Because of the 24-year-olds decisive actions, he is being credited with saving dozens of lives.
He told CBS News that he knew something was horribly wrong as soon as he heard the familiar crack of gunfire. It was then, he said, that his training took over.
The initial one was three or four shots, said Yousuf, a former sergeant who left the Marine Corps last month. That was a shock. Three of four shots go off, and you could tell it was a high-caliber [weapon]. Everyone froze. Im here in the back, and I saw people start pouring into the back hallway, and they just sardine-pack everyone.
Yousuf told CBS that he knew there was a door behind the panicked crowd, but people were too overwhelmed to unlatch it.
And Im screaming, Open the door! Open the door! Yousuf said. And no one is moving because they are scared.
If they did not act, they could be targeted by the gunman, who could have appeared at any moment. They were a few feet from relative safety. Yousuf told CBS that there was only one choice.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/how-a-heroic-marines-military-training-helped-him-save-dozens-from-orlando-gunman/ar-AAh5rRc
This could have been a hell of a lot worse than it was. Glad he was there.