Your Experience

Debra Scott wrote in to tell us her experience, also in the State Theater:

I was 10 years old when this event took place. A neighbor named Roger Morris worked as an usher in the State Theater. His little sister, Lisa, and I were going to spend the day at the movies. Because Roger was working, Lisa and I were allowed to be dropped off, without an adult, to see Stay Away Joe starring Elvis Presley. We were seated in the lower level of the theater, on the west side, about half way down. Not long after the movie started, the lights flickered, the movie paused, followed by what seemed to be several thunderous noises. The theater became dark, debris started falling. Everyone panicked, screaming started and everyone started running. Lisa and I were alone. I remember we grabbed each others hands and started running. I vividly remember adults dragging children and running over Lisa and me as they were trying to exit. Once in the lobby area, we looked for Roger, but couldn't find him. We ran out into the street to find an even greater horrifying scene. There were fires, tons of smoke, demolished buildings & cars. Sadly, dead people & many body parts were lying all around.

Still holding hands, we ran up to a woman, who I now assume was in shock, and asked if she could drive us home. I will never forget the look on her face when she turned to me, pointed to her car and said "there's my car." The car was flat as a pancake. Also, she had blood dripping down her face and I remember her hand shaking uncontrollably when she pointed. We turned the direction that seemed the most likely route to escape. We started running and ran several blocks. Every building we passed had some sort of damage. The most significant thing I remember is the tons of debris, glass and smoke. When we were running, we became more and more afraid because time seemed to stop. Another event took place for two young girls; that day was the first day we had ever entered a bar. I remember this so well. We were running and came across the first building that seemed to still be intact. We went up about 2-3 steps, opened a door and went inside. There was a man behind the bar and one man sitting at the bar. They both turned their heads to look to see who had just entered. Immediately, I recognized the fact it was a bar and I knew it wasn't a place for children, especially two little girls. Looking back I find it interesting that I was more concerned about knowing it was a "bad" place and someplace we shouldn't be, instead of pursuing help. We kept running, made it past the YWCA and over a bridge heading towards Reid Memorial Hospital. We ended up at Lisa's Grandmother's house. I called home and my Dad answered. He came to pick up me and Lisa. He drove us to meet my Mom. She was a Realtor for Otto Real Estate and was showing a man & wife several houses. They heard & felt the explosions, stopped turned on the radio to listen for news.

All she remembered was it was reported there had been some type of explosion(s) and they were taking people by the hundreds to the hospitals and (I believe) the Armory. She panicked because the only place she could envision that many people would be at the theater. She called my Dad to have him try to find us. In the meantime, we had made it to the phone, making that call. Needless to say, when we arrived with my Dad, she hugged and kissed me like no other. Many days after that horrible day, a Detective called our phone and asked to speak to "Debbie Scott." They had found the little purse I had been carrying. It was lying outside of the State Theater. I had to go down to the police station to claim it.