MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) -
As the deadly shooting unfolded at Accent Signage, two workers inside the shop next door couldn't get out. They watched as police surround the doors with guns drawn. The men had no choice but to wait until the chaos ended.
The workers were trapped inside Insty-Bit, Inc. The company is located in the same building as Accent Signage.
John Gillis told FOX 9 News he has worked at Insty-Bit as a machinist at Insty-Bit for 23 years. The shooting happened the day before he was set to retire.
Gillis said, "It sinks in slowly, you know?"
With the machines running at Insty-Bit, Gillis and his co-worker couldn't hear the gunshots. They didn't know anything had happened, until they tried to open the door and police -- armed with rifles -- pushed it shut.
"We called 911 and said, ‘What should we do?'" Gillis said the operator told the men to stay inside and wait for police.
Only one door separated the men inside Insty-Bit from the horror unfolding at Accent Signage. Police said the shooter, Andrew Engeldenger, was upset after being fired from Accent Signage, and wanted revenge.
"He could've come right in thinking he could get out somehow on this end of the building if he wanted to escape and took us out," Gillis said.
Gillis told FOX 9 he knew three of the victims including Accent Signage Owner Reuven Rahamim, Production Manager Rami Cooks, and UPS driver Keith Basinski.
Gillis said, "It's just luck of the draw when something happens like this. You're right next to it. It's just like war. Your buddy gets shot and you don't know what happened."
Now, instead of celebrating retirement, Gillis is grieving for his friends. Gillis is also grateful his life was spared.
"There's nothing you can do. Give thanks, that's it," said Gillis.
John Gillis was trapped inside the joining building during Thursday's shooting.
