So apparently

[Magpie]

gunshots can sound a lot like the guys a couple of houses down doing the nailing. My husband noticed the difference, and he was wondering if they were using masonry fasteners. I, on the other hand, didn't have a clue that anything was up until the police started running. (The fact that it was literally running really clues you in quickly to the fact that something's up).

We also had a friend who lives kitty-corner to us in the building come by to ask if we knew anything. Apparently the news had called them (their last name is much before ours) to ask about it. I have absolutely no details because it was a police officer who did the shooting, so they can't release anything until the SIU is done.

[Salted Grump]

Re. the masonry fasteners sounding like firearms (and vice-versa)

To the best of my recall, most masonry fasteners actually use various-calibre blank cartridges to fire the piston that drives the <insert object here> into the masonry.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

You know, I was better off not knowing that. Now I'll want to dive under the bed if I hear a nailing gun being used.

[Evil Queen]

Re. the masonry fasteners sounding like firearms (and vice-versa)

To the best of my recall, most masonry fasteners actually use various-calibre blank cartridges to fire the piston that drives the <insert object here> into the masonry.

My Dad's "Baby" (a small nail gun he'd had for over 30 years) used what looked like CO2 cartridges. No idea what those where. Maybe it's similar?