Sunny but chilling Sunday morning around 10 am Sean unlocked the last Westside Mall door a routine he did thousands of times. He noticed a black Ford F150 truck with an Army sticker on the side window which seemed odd and the reason he noticed. He thought to go check it out but thought it’s 32 degrees and for North Carolina that is cold. He went on his way to check on his assigned stores to check that they are securely open.
Walking down the hallway he came to the first store a small book store Charles the book store owner was by himself until Sheri his young helper arrives at 11am. Charles offered Sean a coffee from his Keurig machine he had to show appreciation for his customers. Sean waved his hand indicating no thanks. He had his Tablet he turned it towards Charles and handed him the stylus so he could put a check in mark showing Sean had stopped by.
Sean left the store and almost ran into the bald man with black combat boots, jeans, shirt with a black and grey flag with it looked like a smeared skull he recalled seeing on Seal Team the other night. He said sorry and kept going but after the man went in the store Sean thought he should stick around the man also had a long leather coat that Sean briefly saw a shiny object inside of the coat and on the man’s black jeans near his waistline. He would just observe from the center of the wing of the Mall to be safe. He sent a quick 911 into the phone to the security room to make sure cameras were observing in the bookstore as well.
It was only 10:20 am what a start to a quiet Sunday. When sending 911 it also notifies the Madison police a suburban department. They are on their way to assist.

The Observations and Action

Sean kept watching the bookstore and thought in his mind how to precede. He had only briefly been trained in surveillance and was figuring out the best way to approach this situation. He texted the office to pull up the security footage to see if they got a clear look at him on camera to see if can find an identity of the stranger. He got a text with a picture of the mysterious man in black. He told his colleague to forward to the town police and they can use their resources to track down an identity.

Meanwhile, observing the store the man was walking aimlessly in the average size store through the racks. He was no really looking at the shelves but weaved in and out. Sean decided to go in he had seen that the man was starting to twitch a little and reached slowly to grab the gun in his waistband holder. What triggered him and what was his motive. The man swiveled quickly around and was drawing his gun on the manager. Sean dialed 911 for real on cellphone he needed backup. The manager had his back to the man looking at his bookkeeping program on the computer behind the desk. Sean walked in and got closer to the mystery man.

He felt the vibration on his phone and glanced down to see a black and white photo of the man with the gun robbing another Mall in South Carolina the day before which did not end well. Sirens blared and police started coming in the entrance opened by Sean at 10 am. Boots hitting the mall floor closer and closer to the store’s open door telling the man to put down the gun and this can be over without anyone hurt.

Commander Stone, a Marine Veteran of Dessert Storm, gave the orders to the first responders to make sure they have their equipment and head in the game.

Heading into the mall they headed to the Bookstore. The commander confident he can stop this home grown terrorist. Before coming to the Mall they did their research on the man in Black. Thomas David Strong was a former military recruit who did not survive boot camp because he had extreme views of Muslims, African Americans and any other foreigners. He struggled finding work after being kicked out of the Army. He formed a group Strong American Patriots an almost militia set as a place for like minded Patriots.

Stone could see the bald man reach for the weapon on his waste. Stone grabbed his and told the man to stop and drop the weapon. Instead he turned to where the store owner was and pulled him around and wrapped his arms around around his throat.He Heald him hostage. Stone tried pleeing for him to let him go.

Bald man started talking saying that he managed to place bombs around the Mall to fight greedy companies and politicians and the corrupt military. He demanded $1.5 million for his militia.

The commander contacted headquarters to call in the SWAT team and bomb squad as well as a negotiater.