GRAND CHUTE (NBC 26) — This afternoon counseling was provided for the employees who were inside the Fox River Mall at the time of Sunday’s shooting.
One woman recounts what it was like to be back for the first time since then.
“Being back at the mall really brings you back,” said 23-year-old Andrea Hieptas who was working inside the mall at the time of the shooting.
A not so easy day for Hieptas as she returned to the Fox River Mall for the first time since Sunday’s shooting.
“I walk through the corridors and it was just like I was right back to Sunday. I got very anxious, I got very nervous", Hietpas said.
Hietpas was working inside the Pink store when the chaos broke out.
As she walked back in Tuesday, she described her return as feeling paranoid and overwhelmed.
“A worker from one of the restaurants came around the corner and I screamed. I was not expecting to see everyone. I don’t know what I was expecting to see. Seeing that person there really threw me off", Hieptas said.
However, as everyone tries to return a normal as possible workflow, mall officials said they will be doing their best to reassure the safety of everyone.
There will be an increased police presence as well as our security officers so our guests might notice that there’s an increase of law enforcement in there. It is important to say that we do have a robust safety protocol in place", said Lindsay Kahn, Mall Spokesperson.
Hieptas went on to say this shooting has caused her to not be able to sleep.
“It’s bedtime, I’m by myself and now I have to deal with this. Now that was a hard reality", Hieptas said.
"You start replaying that night. I’ve been trying so hard to not think about it because I think to not think about it is easier. I think the scary part is processing it and I don’t know if I’m ready to do it and when I will be”, Hieptas said.
