It’s amazing just how quickly a story can change. In a matter of hours Friday, we went from preparing for this editorial believing one thing, to writing something completely different.

The shooting early Friday morning was a horrific event — especially for those who were enjoying themselves at Club Entourage. For them, the nightmare of two gunmen opening fire was reality and unfortunately, a reality that will haunt them for some time.

First reports said six people were injured — one fatally and another critically — in a shooting incident shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday. That report, which was sent to the media just after 6 a.m., said the investigation was ongoing and that investigators were still seeking information on those responsible.

Roughly eight hours later, everyone learned two of those victims were reportedly the shooters involved. We learned a security guard at the club had pulled a gun of his own and shot both gunmen as they fired indiscriminately into the club goers.

It was the two suspects who were either killed or critically injured. Four others received gunshot wounds they are expected to recover from.

In just a few short hours, our editorial position went from being heavily critical of the club environment in Selma to one of admiration and appreciation for the unnamed security guard, whose actions likely saved dozens of lives.

With that said, the act itself — the decision to force their way back into a club they had been kicked out of to shoot patrons — is a crime that hurts us all.

We have repeatedly said the city of Selma’s growth will no doubt be tied to the development and improvement of Selma’s downtown.

An incident like this — even with the heroic response by a security guard — cannot completely wash away the fact that two Selma men — rather cowards — decided to bring guns back to a club they had already been kicked out of.

This incident, and the many others that have taken place around downtown clubs, must be halted — one way or another.

If we are to have a downtown entertainment district where businesses, retail stores, restaurants, clubs and hotels thrive, then we cannot have an environment where such violence takes place.

The city of Selma should get serious — and get serious now — on creating the type of environment in downtown that helps cultivate growth and attracts visitors, rather than one where patrons do as the door of Club Entourage says; “Enter at your own risk.”