Golfers played while San Bernardino police set up post on course
Even as authorities used a Southern California golf course as a command post and much of the area remained on lockdown in the aftermath of Wednesday’s deadly shooting rampage in San Bernardino, golfers continued to swing and putt away.
“Can you call the golf course office and ask them for people to stop golfing,” a law enforcement officer told a dispatcher. “There are people out there golfing rounds.”
The request — was made at 12:30 p.m. PT, about 90 minutes after the attack was first reported to police.
The San Bernardino Golf Club is located across the street from Inland Regional Center, where Syed R. Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27, allegedly opened fire Wednesday morning. Along with the fatalities, at least 17 were injured.
Farook and Malik were killed later Wednesday after a gun battle with police.
The course was eventually shut down and remained that way Thursday morning as police have the roads that surround the crime scene closed.
San Bernardino Golf Club general manager Frank Hillpot said he was off on Wednesday, although he told Paste BN Sports that he was briefed by his staff. He said he followed the events on television along with talking to staff by phone.
The golf course quickly turned into a command post as police and fire fighters set up near the first and fourth holes at the par-70 public course. Victims and witnesses were taken to the area, many in golf carts provided by the club.
“We gave them the golf carts,” Hillpot said. “I think that helped them fairly significantly.”
The first fairway was used as a helipad, transporting the most critically injured to area hospitals. He said authorities used the carts until 3 p.m. PT.
The shooting was initially reported to police at 11 a.m. The officer could be heard on the San Bernardino Police System at 12:30 p.m. asking for the golf course to be closed.