A Park City Center employee helped multiple people escape to safety during a shopping mall shooting

A Park City Center employee helped multiple people escape to safety during a shopping mall shooting.

LANCASTER COUNTY – It has been more than a week and a half since the Park City Center shooting left six people injured in Lancaster County.

High school senior Phoebe Koppenheffer says that since the shooting it can sometimes be difficult to sign in and start her shift because she can’t forget what happened that day. She also says that she remembers people screaming, running, and even stomping on each other and Koppenheffer says that the effects of that horrible day still linger with her.

“It’s kind of tough trying to get back out into the mall knowing that that happened a little over a week ago,” Koppenheffer said.

“I look around and everyone is crying and everyone was talking on the phone. I’m texting everyone I know that I love you guys. I’ll text you when I get home, but I didn’t know I was going home. ” Koppenheffer said.

Her mother Vanessa says her daughter was very shocked and was doing her best to process everything that happened.

“I pick her up, ask her what happened, and she’s trying to tell all she can,” Vanessa Koppenheffer said.

“Often there are triggers from our environment when we experience that event that we are not perceiving at the moment, but are covered in the brain,” said Dr. Melissa Brown.

UPMC licensed psychologist Dr. Melissa Brown says anxiety and trauma triggers are normal. Dr. Brown says that every action has a reaction.

“Sometimes you’ll hear people say well-intentioned things like you’ve forgotten about them, just keep going, the brain doesn’t work like that, it wants to fill in the missing pieces,” Dr. Brown said.

Dr. Brown also says that to help reduce anxiety, surround yourself with supportive people and speak with a professional.

“I’m a very family-oriented person, so I’m drawn to getting people out and helping everyone get to safety,” Dr. Brown said.

After the shooting, Phoebe says that she and her co-workers were offered therapy, and says this is something she’s looking for.