2015 Atlantic Journalism Awards Finalists
Attachments
| Slug/Label | The ABCs of Fear |
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| Date Aired or Published | Oct. 17 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | The Daily Gleaner |
| Name of Program: | |
| If co-produced, list partner: | |
| Location: | Fredericton, N.B. |
| List awards, grants: | |
| Running time (TV/Radio): | |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: When I learned that the Fredericton Police Force was looking for a man carrying a firearm near a high school and elementary school I ran from the newsroom toward the area. Immediately I thought of the many horrific cases of shootings at schools in the United States. I have a son in middle school and a daughter in high school. This is every parent's worst nightmare. I thought of the fear of the children and of the teachers in the schools in the area where the police were searching for the suspected gunman. I saw two police officers, dressed in tactical gear and carrying firearms, putting on protective gear at Fredericton High School. One saw me and yelled, "Ma'am get in your car and stay there!" I informed him that I was a journalist with The Daily Gleaner. He told me that the area wasn't safe and that I needed to take cover. I was the lone reporter on the scene for the first 20 minutes watching as more officers arrived and headed into the school, which, along with Priestman Street Elementary, were under lock down as officers searched for the suspect. I learned that two other schools in uptown Fredericton was also locked down. Thousands of students stuck in their classrooms, using their smartphones to communicate with parents and friends. I kept running back and forth between two of the biggest schools, which were a street apart. Another officer yelled at me "You're in the line of fire!" Anxious parents waited in their cars hoping for some news of their children. Some were crying. Others were silent. Many spoke of their fears for their children. For two hours the police searched both schools along with the neighbourhoods around them. All this time I continuously called in details of what was happening to my editors. We were the first to have the story and pics online, followed by video. By 11:30 a.m. police had discovered that the suspected gunman had been located and the weapon turned out to be an umbrella, with a black carrying case and strap that appeared to be a rifle with a shoulder strap. I start searching for the young man and I found him using Facebook, Twitter and other means to track him down. By 12:30 the young man, who has autism, and his mother gave me an exclusive interview. They explained that the umbrella and carrying case were a birthday gift from her. He said he recognized himself on surveillance videotape and knew that the police were mistaken in their belief that there was a man with a gun in the area.The man, who is employed at a department store, said he was carrying the umbrella by his side while he was walking to work that morning and he had no idea his birthday present would be mistaken for a gun. It was a happy ending to a very tense morning for thousands of people in Fredericton. The largest lockdown in Fredericton's history ended positively but it left parents, school officials, police and me a little on edge. What if it hadn't been an umbrella that looked like a gun but the real thing? Thank you for your consideration Laverne Stewart |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: Laverne used her notebook, pen, smartphone and her car for cover. She showed a lot of courage getting so close to the schools that were locked down and that dogged determination deserves to be recognized. Thank you Anne Mooers |
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