By The Survivors Club Staff
March 11, 2010

Richard Smith and his son Chris, the owners of Smith Financial Group in Dallas, Texas, were both injured during last Monday's shooting in the office building where their company is located. According to media reports, the gunman may have had a business dispute with the two men.

After the authorities arrived at the scene following a 911 call, the survivors were taken to Parkland Hospital, where the father was listed in stable condition, while his 39-year-old son, who was shot in the face and neck, was in critical condition, according to CBS 11 TV.

Becky Hayes, who works in an office in the same building, said she noticed the younger Smith running down the hallway, wounded and pleading for help. She convinced him to sit down and "was just trying to keep him calm," as they waited for an ambulance, quoted by the news provider.

Statistics suggest that more than 61,000 Americans were injured in gun-related violence in 2008.

Experts from CrimeSafetySecurity.com suggest says individuals who are targeted in a shooting rampage should flee toward outdoor exits rather than windowless or dead-end rooms. If trapped in a first-floor room, it may be a good idea to use furniture to smash a window to allow escape. Fire extinguishers can also be used to spray a dense fog to block a shooter's view.

Survivors of gun violence may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute for tips on how to deal with the aftermath of a shooting and access resources that can help them thrive again.