"The police saved lives," says the mayor

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A video of Omar Enrique Santa Perez's body cam, a series of deadly shots, is projected at a press conference on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 in Cincinnati. (Photo: Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,)Buy a photo

Less than five minutes after gunfire broke out in the fifth center, the police killed the gunman and their swift actions prevented mass shooting from becoming even deadlier, officials said Friday.

While a crowd of people escaped the shots fired by Omar Enrique Santa Perez, four policemen ran towards danger. They spotted Santa in the lobby and fired through the glass and glass doors while he was turning the gun over them.

Surveillance videos from the lobby and images of body cameras released by Cincinnati police during a press conference on Friday revealed more details about the heroic reaction to shots that left three dead and two injured.

"The heroism of these officers is truly remarkable," said Mayor John Cranley. "The police have saved lives and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude."

Jeff Crawford, who works for Cleveland, was inspired by the many sprints that took place. He ran, stooping and protecting himself from McCormick and Schmick. He saw several officers emerge on Fountain Square "from all angles".

He heard at least a dozen shots and became calm. "It was as if it was over in no time," he said.

More: The youngest victim "wanted to do everything he could to make people happy"

More: Whitney Austin, victim of the Cincinnati shootings: "I'm thinking of how I can make a difference in the future"

More: Videos show a calm man firing five people as police approach

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A security video of the deadly shooting of Omar Enrique Santa Perez is presented at a press conference on Friday, September 7, 2018 in Cincinnati. (Photo: Albert Cesare / The Enquirer,)

"They know that they did what they had to do."

Police Chief Eliot Isaac said that from the first shot, until the officers neutralized the threat, four minutes and 28 seconds passed. The officers engaged the gunman within three and a half minutes of the first 911 call.

Four officers fired 11 shots and the shooter fell.

"You could see in the video … the guy shoots the cops," said Cranley. "(You can see) them, not being afraid and committing and ending."

The four officers who fired shots were Jennifer Chilton, in service since 2008; Antonio Etter, since 2002; Eric Kaminsky, since 1997; and Gregory Toyeas, since 1990.

"These four are as good as you think," said Issac. He spoke in depth with three of the four officers.

"They know that they did what they had to do, they were very determined to be there to save lives, they were very attached to that."

Cranley said that part of the bodycam footage, after the shots, shows a woman in the shelter.

"The fear you can see on his face is hard to forget, followed by a sense of gratitude that the cavalry has arrived," said Cranley.

Cranley said police, firefighters and 911 dispatchers worked in unison, effectively stopping the violence and treating his victims.

"It was a team effort to end the violence as quickly as possible and to eliminate the threat and save lives," said Mr. Cranley.

Police block Walnut Street, after an active gunman killed several people in downtown Fifth and Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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A woman is comforted by authorities posted in front of the emergency room at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following a shooting that left four dead and several injured in central Cincinnati, Thursday, September 6, 2018, in Cincinnati. (Kareem Elgazzar, The Cincinnati Enquirer)

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A helicopter surrounds the fifth center after an active gunman killed several people in the fifth center and fountain plaza in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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The first responders are treating someone on Fountain Square on September 6th.

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Scenes of an active shooting situation downtown on September 6, 2018

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The coroner's unit has just arrived at the emergency room of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following the active shooter from the fifth center in downtown Cincinnati, on the 6th September 2018.

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Civilians leave the fifth center three hours after shooting begins.

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First responders remain at the scene after Thursday morning's shot at the Fifth Third Center in downtown Cincinnati.

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Scenes of an active shooting situation at Fifth City Center on Fountain Square on September 6, 2018.

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Fifth-third employees leave fifth center after an active gunman killed several people in downtown Fifth and Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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Authorities are stationed outside the emergency room at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following a shootout in downtown Cincinnati, which left four dead and several injured, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Cincinnati .

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Captain Jeff Butler of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, who said no other casualties would be brought to UCMC ER. He would not disclose how many victims.

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Police are investigating the scene after a shootout that took place on September 5 in downtown Cincinnati, downtown Cincinnati. Four people died, including the gunman and several others injured after an "active shooter" situation in downtown Cincinnati, at Fountain Square Fifth Third.

An aerial shot where the shooter entered the fifth center.

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Investigators move around Fountain Square, after an active gunman killed several people in downtown Fifth and Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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Police outside the Fifth Center building on Fountain Square after a shooting that killed several people on Thursday, September 6, 2018, in downtown Cincinnati.

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Authorities arrive at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after an active shooting situation at the fifth center in downtown Cincinnati on September 6, 2018.

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Carew Tower with security tape following an active shooting situation at Fifth Third Center in downtown Cincinnati on September 6, 2018.

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The FBI, Cincinnati police, firefighters and other emergency services are responding to Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati for an "active shooter" just after 9am on Thursday. Police confirmed four dead, including the gunman and several wounded.

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Police outside the Fifth Third Bank building on Fountain Square after a shooting with multiple deaths on Thursday, September 6, 2018, in downtown Cincinnati.

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Scene behind a warning tape at the home of the alleged gunman at North Bend.

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Construction workers wait behind the police strip on Walnut Street, in downtown Cincinnati, after an active gunman killed several people in downtown Fifth and Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday. September 6, 2018.

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An active gunman entered the fifth center loading dock and killed several people in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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People stand at the corner of Walnut and Sixth Street to watch the scene where an active gunman killed several people in downtown Fifth and Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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Fountain Square is empty three hours after an active gunman killed several people in the fifth center and at the fountain square, in downtown Cincinnati, on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery is closed for lunch three hours after an active shooter has killed several people at Fifth Center and Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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Broken glass and police gangs can be seen at Fountain Square's fifth banking center on Thursday, September 6, 2018. Four people died, including the gunman and several injured after an active shooting situation in downtown Cincinnati. .

For an hour that would have been occupied by people during lunchtime, Fountain Square is silent, with a police scotch flapping in the wind, after a lethal shot in front of the fifth center. The shooting just after nine in the morning killed four people, including the gunman and two wounded.

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A gunman killed several people in Fifth Center and Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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Bullet holes are visible at Fountain Square's fifth banking center, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. Four people have died, including the gunman and several injured after an active shooting situation in downtown Cincinnati on the fifth floor of Fountain Square. .

Police are investigating the scene after a shooting that killed several people in Fifth Center on Fountain Square after a shooting that killed several people on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in downtown Cincinnati.

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Image of the street level at the fifth building of the third center on Fountain Square after a shooting with multiple deaths on Thursday, September 6, 2018, in downtown Cincinnati.

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The fountain's square remains closed nine hours after an active gunman killed several people on Fountain Square and the fifth center of downtown Cincinnati, Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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Duke Energy Convention Center presents a special design to honor the lives of those who were lost in the fifth shot of the third bank downtown. The colors represent the colors of the City seal, the design also reinforces the #CincyStrong feeling. Photo taken on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

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"Think of the number of people that he would have destroyed"

Sgt. Eric Franz of the Cincinnati Police said that when he had joined the force almost three decades ago, active training to shooters did not exist.

But after the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, Franz said the police department had adopted a tactic called "QuAD" or rapid deployment. Before looking for the shooter, at least four officers had to first converge on a scene.

These are not the protocol agents used during Thursday's frenzy.

In 2012, the police department adopted the standard of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which requires that agents, individually or in pairs, face the threat.

Isaac said that earlier this year, all police department officers had been trained on real-life scenarios.

Jeff Butler, police captain and commanding officer of the training section, said the training scenarios represented the culmination of many years of study of shootings in the country. They incorporate lessons learned from the San Bernardino attack in 2015 that killed 14 people and the shooting of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, which killed 49 people a year later, among others.

One of the best aspects of the active training of the Cincinnati police shooters is its realism, Butler said.

Although he refused to publish many details, for fear of being able to inform a future shooter, he said the officers were sailing in a "multi-room laboratory", firing non-lethal bullets on perceived threats.

"(The officers) know that their training allows them to solve a situation successfully," Butler said. "When they go through that door, it's never a cookie cutter, we train them to wait for us in the unexpected."

Butler added that additional training, made possible through funding provided over the years by Cincinnati City Council, is strengthening officer preparation.

While the state of Ohio prescribes 16 weeks of training for police recruits for certification, police in Cincinnati require 28, Butler said.

The state requires about 30 hours of continuing education for current agents. The Cincinnati police need more than twice as much, he added.

And the police department offers a shooting range, where officers can shoot in their free time, despite the fact that the state only requires officers to shoot 25 rounds a year.

"It's expensive to do that," said Butler, but it does control the situation. "We have some of the best shooters around, and that's because we practice, practice and practice."

The formation "certainly played a role" in the decisive response of the four officers on the Place de la Fontaine, said Franz.

"Think about this guy getting into the elevator," Franz said. "It could have been 10 minutes before we got to him – think of how many people he would have destroyed."

Franz came on the scene about 40 minutes after the carnage. Witnessing the unified effort of first responders – administering aid, evacuating civilians, securing the scene – has aroused a sense of admiration among the 27-year-old veteran.

"I've never been more proud of everyone I've worked with," Franz said.

"I got a message on Facebook (from a friend):" I'm in the tower looking at you. Are we safe? "I said" Absolutely "."