Meet The 22-Year-Old US Soldier Who Saved Lives Of Several Children At The Texas Shooting

Army Pfc. Glendon Oakley Jr. was busy shopping at the sports goods store in El Paso, Texas and completely unaware of the chaos that unfolded on the fateful day. Just as he did, he pulled his gun.

A 22-year-old Army automated logistics specialist assigned to the 504th Composite Supply Company, 142nd Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, 1st Armored Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas, Oakley was shopping for sports goods when a young child burst inside the store shouting about the active shooter at the nearby Walmart.

"The guy at the register and I sort of looked at each other," Oakley told Task & Purpose in a phone interview on Saturday. "He's a little kid ... are you going to believe him?"

At least 20 people have been killed and 26 left severely wounded after a gunman entered the Walmart store and opened fire.

Oakley immediately pulled out his Glock 9mm, which he carries under the Texas's concealed carry laws.

In an interview with Task & Purpose, Oakley said, ¡°That's what you do. You pull your gun, you find cover, and you figure out what to do next."

Oakley is from an Army family.

According to T&P, ¡°His father, Glendon Oakley Sr., served for 31 years before retiring in 2011 at the rank of sergeant major; his mother, Wendolyn D. Oakley, retired as a master sergeant in 2001 after two decades; and his older sister, Glenda Oakley, is a retired captain.¡±

Oakley grabbed as many kids as he could and ran five stores down to the exit. He admitted that despite his training, he was ¡°scared for life.¡±