Father’s Day should be filled with joy and celebration. But this year in Medford, New York, it was filled with terror after a man entered a small mom-and-pop pharmacy then shot and killed everyone in the store to steal prescription drugs. Among the victims was a 17-year-old young woman who was set to graduate from high school this week. The story is absolutely heartbreaking.
According to the New York City Police Department’s “Active Shooter Recommendations and Analysis for Risk Mitigation,” active shooters are often members of the communities they target. Three days after these horrific murders, a husband and wife who lived in the area were arrested and charged with several counts including first-degree murder, robbery and obstructing governmental administration. It’s hard to believe that one of our own customers or employees would become violent, but it’s important to remember that active shooters aren’t always perfect strangers.
While this outcome may not have been preventable, the tragedy in New York is a reminder to retailers to prepare for active shooter situations and communicate these plans to all employees.
I know I speak for the entire retail community when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by the murders at Haven Drugs.