Larry Gillette’s plan to kill as many people as he could nearly came to fruition four years ago.

The 53-year-old Shelton man planned to set off bombs at Walmart and two gas stations, and while law enforcement and first responders were busy, rob banks in downtown Shelton.

But a tip from Gillette’s cellmate while the two were behind bars may have saved the lives of dozens – if not more – men, women and children in April 2014. Local law enforcement, with the help of the FBI, provided Gillette with a fake bomb and brought him into custody after he set the “timer” to put his plan into action. Gillette was found dead in his prison cell two days later.

Shelton Police Department Lt. Mike Fiola described the incident to a packed house during a Feb. 15 luncheon put on by the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce.

His point? Active shooters and those who plot terrorism are not just in big cities such as Las Vegas or Miami.

Fiola told the crowd of business owners and community members that locals need to get out of the mindset that these events can – and almost did – take place in our own backyard.

“This is the world we live in today,” said Fiola during a presentation on active shooter training at the Mason County PUD 3 Johns Prairie Operations Center in Shelton. Fiola and Mary Ransier, deputy executive director for MACECOM, the county’s 911 operations center, spoke about what ordinary residents can do when confronted with similar situations.

The presentation came the day after 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz allegedly killed 17 people at a Parkland, Florida, school.

Here’s Fiola and Ransier’s big takeaway: Run, hide and fight. If the unthinkable happens, don’t wait around for help. Flee the scene. Other ways to prepare for an active shooter – defined as an individual engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area – include making a plan for your home, office or place of business.

The more you can prepare in advance, the more likely you’ll be able to survive an attack, Fiola said.

At one point during his presentation, Fiola showed a cellphone video from the Feb. 14 attack in Florida. Gunshots followed by screaming echoed throughout the classroom.

Fiola asked for a raising of hands: “How many people would know what to do? Would your children know what to do?”

Only one person raised their hand.

Regardless of your opinion on gun control, take this as an opportunity to have a conversation with your employees and coworkers about your emergency plan. Write it down. Practice it on occasion.

You never know – it might just save your life.

— From Mason County Journal