The smell of fresh gunpowder hung in the air in San Bernardino as four police officers braved the devastation and confusion of one the worst mass shootings in recent American memory.
In pursuit of active shooters who might have been around any corner, they had to tune out the wails and moans of the injured and a blaring fire alarm. These officers in Southern California were the first in the "surreal," bullet-riddled building on Wednesday, according to one of the officers who was there.
"It was unspeakable, the carnage that we were seeing," said Lt. Mike Madden, a 24-year veteran and the first on the scene after two people laid waste to a county health department holiday party on Wednesday.
Madden was on his way to lunch when he got the call from dispatch, he said Thursday, describing at a news conference what it was like to be the first police officer at the scene. Fourteen people were killed and 21 wounded, and the violent tableau was like nothing he'd ever seen in his career.
"As we entered into the conference room, the situation was surreal. It was something that I don't think we were prepared for," Madden said. "An active shooter, we talk about a sensory overload – they try to throw everything at you to prepare … it was all of that and more."
The massacre, allegedly at the hands of a husband and wife — Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27 — has drawn the eyes of the world to the United States once again, days after another deadly shootout in Colorado. President Barack Obama called for gun control and other reforms after this shooting, as he's done after other shootings during his tenure.
But the images inside the hall were fresh for Madden, who said he followed training instilled in officers since the Columbine school shooting in 1999 to clear the immediate danger, no matter what they saw or who needed help.
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"This was tragedy that I've never experienced in my career and that I don't think most officers do," Madden said.
Stern faced, Madden explained at the press conference what he saw as he and three other officers formed a tactical team to go inside the halls of the Inland Regional Center, the social services facility whose conference room was hosting the party. He said the large meeting room looked festive and had a Christmas tree and tables decorated for a party.
Madden saw bodies outside the room and about 50 panicked survivors too afraid at first to follow officers' orders to flee to safety: "We had to tell them several times, 'Come to us, come to us.' Ultimately they did."
A widely circulated video from the scene of the massacre shows tense minutes as a group of people was being directed by a law enforcement officer on how to leave the building.
The people, some whispering quietly to each other, are told to show their hands as they follow the officer down a hallway. A small child is seen walking between two women and holding their hands.
"Relax, everyone, relax," the officer is heard saying. "I take a bullet before you do, that's for damn sure. Just be cool, OK?"
The officer is later seen holding a long gun and standing by the door to the elevator.
Gabi Flores shared the video with NBC Los Angeles' media partner, KPCC. A reporter asked Madden about the video, and if that was him assuring survivors.
“No,” Madden said. “I would like to think I was that cool, but no, unfortunately, that wasn’t.”
Madden said he didn't know if that officer was officially identified.
At the news conference where Madden spoke, Gov. Brown vowed that the people of California wouldn't have to face more scenes like this.
"We're going to go just as far as we have to to make sure that public safety is being protected," he said.
Cathy Rainone contributed to this report.
