Army veteran hailed a hero after braving gunfire during El Paso massacre to rescue crying children

An Army veteran who reportedly rescued several children from the El Paso, Texas mass shooting on Saturday is being hailed as a hero on social media.

U.S. Army specialist Glendon Oakley told reporters he was shopping at a sporting goods store inside the Cielo Vista Mall in West El Paso when the gunman opened fire inside a nearby Walmart.

Oakley’s social media pages indicate Oakley is a retired U.S. Army veteran from  Killeen, Texas, a city located in the center of the state about 582 miles east of El Paso. 

He told an MSNBC reporter that a child came into the sporting goods store where he and others were shopping and said ‘there’s an active shooter.’

‘Me and the guy that works there were like “He’s a kid” so we didn’t believe him,’ Oakley said. ‘I walked out the mall to go to Footlocker. I hear “Bop! Bop!”

Oakley told reporters he picked up as many small kids as he could and hauled them out of the store Saturday

After hearing the gunshots, Oakley said he drew the handgun he was licensed to carry before looking for a place to hide. Then he noticed a bunch of people fleeing from a nearby Footlocker store.

‘They just dipped. So I ran with them. I just tried to make my way to the parking lot,’ Oakley said.

On his way out, however, the military veteran saw a group of panicking children who were running around inside the shopping plaza unsure of what to do. Their parents were nowhere in sight, he said.

‘I got my bag in my hand. I’m trying to pick them up, as many as I can, just run out,’ Oakley said. ‘But they’re so anxious, they’re, like, jumping out of my hands. Ain’t much I can do for the kids, so I just made my way out.’

Many social media users are describing Oakley as a ‘hero’ for his bravery in the line of fire

Oakley’s social media accounts indicate he’s a retired Army veteran originally from Killeen, Texas

In 2006, he graduated from the University of Maryland’s University College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management

Oakley said he managed to shuffle at least a few of the children out of the shopping center. When he emerged in the parking lot, Oakley said he was confronted by an on-scene officer who wasn’t sure if Oakley, who was armed, was a potential victim or if he was the shooter, who hadn’t yet been identified. 

‘When I got out, I guess one of the cops thought I was the shooter or something,’ Oakley said. ‘So I had to show ’em my clip and stuff, show ’em I had my license to carry. He said I was fine.’

Many on social media commended Oakley for his apparent bravery during the deadly rampage. 

‘HERO!’ said Twitter user JamieR Army Girl. ‘Active Duty member Glen Oakley, who was near the El Paso Walmart rushed to protect children during the shooting! Thank you and God Bless you!’

‘What a honorable man’ tweeted Judy M. Poston

‘A real life superhero,’ added Twitter user Jhobbs.

At least 18 people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of the shooting, the latest in a string of mass shootings that have left the nation on high alert. 

Oakley, who was visibly shaken while being interviewed in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, said his own life wasn’t his main concern when gunshots rang out. 

‘I was just so worried about those kids man. I’m just worried about those kids. I wasn’t really worried about myself. I just hope those kids are alright.’