Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Audio is from callers inside, outside the building at the Clovis library.
CLOVIS — The calls started to come in just before 4:13 p.m. on Aug. 28. In about seven minutes, 911 dispatchers took nine reports of an active shooter at the Clovis-Carver Public Library.
Clovis police on Friday released the 911 calls from the violence that left two people dead, four injured and a 16-year-old high school student in custody.
The audio includes many callers who appear out of breath, outside the building and seeking safety. Other calls came from staff inside the library, taking cover in an office or closet.
The first call reported at least two people hit by a shooter wearing a black shirt, glasses and a black hat. Seconds later, Library Director Margaret Hinchee said she was inside her office but she didn’t know more about what the shooter looked like or who was hurt.
“Stay there. Do not leave the building. We have help on the way,” a dispatcher told Hinchee. “It’s going to be OK, we have plenty of people coming for you, OK?”
Police and ambulances were en route as the calls continued with more details trickling in: a person shot in the arm, a person shot by the circulation desk and a suspect with a handgun.
“I have a friend that’s in there right now,” said a caller. “She’s inside the library.”
A person at the public defender’s office reported having two eyewitnesses to the shooting.
“Keep them in there. Do not let them leave,” a dispatcher said of those witnesses. “We are super, super crazy in here. I will get somebody there. I need you to keep them there.”
The last call released by police came in just before 4:19 p.m. from a library employee in a closet with an injured coworker.
“I’m at the library; I’m with one of my coworkers that was shot. I just want to let you know where we’re at. I see all the police officers out there clearing the building,” said the caller. “We’re hiding in the closet.”
The caller said her coworker was injured in her upper left shoulder and bleeding, and dispatch advised her to keep pressure on the wound.
Clovis Police Department Public Information Officer Robert Telles said there were three dispatchers working the day of the incident. He declined to give their names.
Editor's note: The full audio from all of the 911 calls is posted at the top of this story.