The following is the text of an email sent to VIRTBIZ customers following the events of July 7, 2016 from company President, Chris Gebhardt.
As the world awakens this morning to the news of overnight violence in Dallas, we have heard from many of our customers and friends sharing in our shock, concern and grief.
While I will leave the dissemination and analysis of the tragic crime to other sources, I feel it’s appropriate that I take the opportunity to share with you what impact last night’s events have at VIRTBIZ. I appreciate your understanding as this message will contain a mixture of professional and personal language.
First and foremost, all VIRTBIZ staff and assets remain safe and unharmed.
Our DAL1 headquarters, the location of our primary datacenter, NOC and business office at 2805 Canton Street, is roughly 1.5 miles or 2 kilometers from the site of last night’s events. While this is a relatively short distance, it is on the opposite side of our densely-populated and heavily constructed Downtown central business district.
Although there was never an immediate danger to our building or neighborhood, we did institute a “shelter-in-place” plan. On-site staff monitored news outlets as well as our own video surveillance from within our NOC as events unfolded.
Our DTX901 facility is housed at the Bank of America Plaza at 901 Main Street and was at the epicenter of last night’s events. The shootings are reported to have taken place from the parking garages directly adjacent to that building. DTX901 serves as a point-of-presence for our interconnects with our carriers and dedicated Internet access customers.
As I type, the roughly 5-block by 5-block area surrounding DTX901 is closed to the public and is considered a crime-scene. Although we are prevented from being on-site until the area is opened to civilian traffic, our operations at that facility continue to be uninterrupted and we do not anticipate any impact to our assets or services.
While there is no operational impact as a result of last night’s events, we can’t help but feel an emotional blow. The citizens who intended on demonstrating peacefully last night could not have imagined the events that would unfold. Our Dallas Police Department acted with professionalism and courage. Unfortunately, 5 members of that community have lost their lives. One of the dead is personally known to the VIRTBIZ family and his senseless death will be mourned.
Our hearts go out to all those who have been touched by last night’s tragic events. This is not representative of the Dallas that I know and love. I pray for peace and understanding as further details become known.
On behalf of the VIRTBIZ family and our fellow Dallas citizens, I thank you for your thoughts and concern.
Chris Gebhardt, President
VIRTBIZ Internet Services
www.virtbiz.com | 972-485-4125