11

Active AssailantActive Assailant

22

Performance ObjectivesPerformance ObjectivesBy the end of this training, you will be able to:By the end of this training, you will be able to:

1.1. Describe two past Active Assailant incidents Describe two past Active Assailant incidents and their outcomeand their outcome

2.2. Explain how past Active Assailant incidents Explain how past Active Assailant incidents led to current law enforcement policies led to current law enforcement policies regarding Active Assailant responseregarding Active Assailant response

3.3. Define Active AssailantDefine Active Assailant

4.4. Describe characteristics of an Active AssailantDescribe characteristics of an Active Assailant

5.5. Explain how Active Assailant deployment Explain how Active Assailant deployment differs from the deployment needed at a differs from the deployment needed at a hostage/barricade situationhostage/barricade situation

33

Performance Objectives Performance Objectives 6.6. Define the primary objective of response Define the primary objective of response

to Active Assailantto Active Assailant7.7. Identify who can initiate an Active Identify who can initiate an Active

Assailant deploymentAssailant deployment8.8. Name intelligence sources when initiating Name intelligence sources when initiating

Active Assailant deploymentActive Assailant deployment9.9. Explain importance of Incident Command Explain importance of Incident Command

SystemSystem10.10. Explain the role and function EMS plays in Explain the role and function EMS plays in

response to Active Assailantresponse to Active Assailant

44

Performance Objectives Performance Objectives 11.11. Identify tactical considerations for off-Identify tactical considerations for off-

duty/plainclothes officers during Active duty/plainclothes officers during Active Assailant incidentsAssailant incidents

12.12. Identify tactical considerations when Identify tactical considerations when executing Active Assailant deploymentexecuting Active Assailant deployment

13.13. Explain the importance of initiating Explain the importance of initiating SWAT/Tactical Team responseSWAT/Tactical Team response

55

Performance Objectives Performance Objectives 14.14. Define Element positions and Define Element positions and

responsibility of each positionresponsibility of each position

15.15. Explain when to cease Active Assailant Explain when to cease Active Assailant deployment & switch to building clearing deployment & switch to building clearing by responding officers or SWATby responding officers or SWAT

16.16. Demonstrate the ability to properly Demonstrate the ability to properly complete the skills exercises inclusive of complete the skills exercises inclusive of three, four and five officer movement and three, four and five officer movement and clearing techniquesclearing techniques

66

OverviewOverviewGrowing trend of mass violence by Growing trend of mass violence by individualsindividuals

May not be “shooter” – hence the change May not be “shooter” – hence the change to “assailant”to “assailant”

Traditional containment & negotiation not Traditional containment & negotiation not appropriate tactic in these incidentsappropriate tactic in these incidents

Shift in tactics providing authority & Shift in tactics providing authority & capability to respond prior to SWAT arrivalcapability to respond prior to SWAT arrival

77

School ShootingsSchool Shootings• Not a New Phenomenon

• Disagreements Settled With Weapons

• 1960’s Survey of School Problems

• No Geographic Region is Excluded

About School Shootings

88

JULY 26, 1764

“The Enoch Brown School Massacre”

Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Nine children were killed

EARLIEST RECORDED SCHOOL KILLINGS

99

School Shootings & Stabbings 1996 - School Shootings & Stabbings 1996 - 20062006

1010

University of Texas at AustinAugust 1, 1966

Former Marine, barricaded self inUniversity’s 27 – story towerCharles Whitman killed his mother & wife the night beforeWhitman killed 14 people and wounded 30

1111

Dunblane, Scotland Dunblane, Scotland March 13, 1996March 13, 1996

Anxious parents await word of their children – 15 of whom, ages 5 and 6, were slain, along with their teacher, in less than 3 minutes. Their murderer, 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton, committed suicide at the scene.

1212

Springfield, Oregon – May 20, 1998Springfield, Oregon – May 20, 199815-year-old Kip Kinkel bragged to 15-year-old Kip Kinkel bragged to fellow students about torturing fellow students about torturing animals (he had cut the heads off animals (he had cut the heads off cats and mounted them on sticks, cats and mounted them on sticks, mutilated a cow, bragged about mutilated a cow, bragged about killing small animals and of stuffing killing small animals and of stuffing lighted firecrackers in cats' mouths.) lighted firecrackers in cats' mouths.)

He also had a fascination with guns He also had a fascination with guns and a quick temper that led him to be and a quick temper that led him to be expelled from school twice in one expelled from school twice in one week for acts of violence against week for acts of violence against fellow students. His classmates fellow students. His classmates voted him "Most Likely to Start voted him "Most Likely to Start World War III.”World War III.”

He said that “War would begin on He said that “War would begin on 5/20/98.”5/20/98.”

Kip’s parents

1313

At 3:30 PM, he shot his father in the back At 3:30 PM, he shot his father in the back of of his head in the kitchen of their homehis head in the kitchen of their homeAt 6:00 PM, he shot his mother twice in At 6:00 PM, he shot his mother twice in the head and once in the heart as she the head and once in the heart as she arrived arrived homehomeOn the morning of May 21, he drove his On the morning of May 21, he drove his mother’s car to school with four weapon mother’s car to school with four weapon and 1,127 rounds of ammoand 1,127 rounds of ammo2 dead and 22 wounded2 dead and 22 wounded

Springfield, Oregon - May 20, 1998Springfield, Oregon - May 20, 1998

1414

Columbine High School, Columbine High School, Littleton, CO 4/20/1999Littleton, CO 4/20/1999Eric Harris, Dylan KleboldEric Harris, Dylan Klebold

They fired a total of 37 12 gauge rounds, 151 - 9mm rounds, exploded 30 bombs and had another 46 unexploded bombs.

Within the span of 16 minutes, the gunmen killed 13 people and wounded 21 others.

1515

1616

German School Mass Murder April German School Mass Murder April 26, 200226, 2002

Eighteen people died when an expelled former student went on a shooting spree at his school in the eastern German city of Erfurt. Masked and dressed in black, the gunman walked through classrooms killing 14 teachers, two schoolgirls and one of the first policemen on the scene before taking his own life.

A student’s note pleading for “Help”

1717

Reno, Nevada – March 14, 2006Reno, Nevada – March 14, 2006

Eighth Grader James Eighth Grader James Newman shoots two Newman shoots two classmates with handgun classmates with handgun outside cafeteriaoutside cafeteria

Teacher coaxes him to drop Teacher coaxes him to drop gun and “bear hugs” him gun and “bear hugs” him until police take him into until police take him into custodycustody

1818

U.S. School ShootingsU.S. School Shootings45 major U.S. school shootings in last 10 years 45 major U.S. school shootings in last 10 years (1997-2007)(1997-2007)

36 shootings in the eight years since Columbine HS 36 shootings in the eight years since Columbine HS (1999)(1999)

12 shootings this school year alone (2006-2007)12 shootings this school year alone (2006-2007)

VA Tech – April 2007, highest VA Tech – April 2007, highest number of victims number of victims of murder by firearm by one person at one time of murder by firearm by one person at one time (mass murder) in U.S. history(mass murder) in U.S. history

1919

Salt Lake City, Utah - February 12, 2007Salt Lake City, Utah - February 12, 2007

Sulejman Talović enters Trolley Sulejman Talović enters Trolley Square mall armed with a shotgun, Square mall armed with a shotgun, handgun and a backpack full of handgun and a backpack full of ammunition.ammunition.

Killed five and wounded at least Killed five and wounded at least four.four.

Ogden Police Officer Kenneth Ogden Police Officer Kenneth Hammond off-duty in mall with his Hammond off-duty in mall with his wife, exchanges shots with assailant wife, exchanges shots with assailant until on-duty officers arrive. until on-duty officers arrive.

Officers shoot and kill assailant.Officers shoot and kill assailant.

2020

Blacksburg, Virginia - 4/16/07Blacksburg, Virginia - 4/16/07

23-yr-old - VA TEC Student, Sun-Kyung Cho23-yr-old - VA TEC Student, Sun-Kyung Cho

Shot and killed 32 people

2121

VA Tech Victims…VA Tech Victims…

2222

Active Assailant DefinedActive Assailant Defined Armed person who has used deadly force Armed person who has used deadly force on other persons and continues to do so on other persons and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to while having unrestricted access to additional victimsadditional victims

One or more persons randomly or One or more persons randomly or systematically using deadly force on systematically using deadly force on others and based on available intelligence others and based on available intelligence will not stop aggressive hostile action will not stop aggressive hostile action without immediate and direct law without immediate and direct law enforcement interventionenforcement intervention

2323

Common Characteristics - Active AssailantsCommon Characteristics - Active Assailants

Focus on assaulting persons with whom they Focus on assaulting persons with whom they come into contactcome into contact Intention is usually an expression of hatred or Intention is usually an expression of hatred or rage rather than committing a crimerage rather than committing a crime Likely to engage more than one targetLikely to engage more than one target High body count is the goalHigh body count is the goal Presence not usually known until assault beginsPresence not usually known until assault begins Often goes to locations where multiple victims Often goes to locations where multiple victims are close at handare close at hand Schools, theatres, concerts, shopping mallsSchools, theatres, concerts, shopping malls May act as a sniper or engage multiple targets while on May act as a sniper or engage multiple targets while on

the movethe move

2424

Common Characteristics - Active AssailantsCommon Characteristics - Active Assailants

Containment and negotiation, normally Containment and negotiation, normally associated with standoff incidents may associated with standoff incidents may not be usefulnot be useful Often better armed than initial Often better armed than initial responding responding officersofficers May have planned attack to include May have planned attack to include sustained confrontation with policesustained confrontation with police Escape from police is usually not a priorityEscape from police is usually not a priority May employ some type of diversionMay employ some type of diversion

2525

Common Characteristics - Active AssailantsCommon Characteristics - Active Assailants

Usually suicidal, either by self-inflicted Usually suicidal, either by self-inflicted wound or by “suicide by cop”wound or by “suicide by cop”

Some degree of familiarity with the Some degree of familiarity with the location they choose for their attacklocation they choose for their attack

Event may turn from active to static and Event may turn from active to static and back againback again May become barricaded subject if access to May become barricaded subject if access to

victims is stoppedvictims is stopped

2626

What is NOT an Active AssailantWhat is NOT an Active AssailantBarricaded Suspect/Hostage TakerBarricaded Suspect/Hostage Taker In a position of advantage, is armed, and has In a position of advantage, is armed, and has

displayed violencedisplayed violence Suspect may or not be holding hostages and Suspect may or not be holding hostages and

there is no indication that suspect is causing there is no indication that suspect is causing death or serious bodily injury. A STATIC death or serious bodily injury. A STATIC SITUATIONSITUATION

Active Assailant deployment is NOT to be Active Assailant deployment is NOT to be used in this situation or similar situationsused in this situation or similar situations Traditional response (perimeter negotiation)Traditional response (perimeter negotiation)

2727

Intelligence en RouteIntelligence en Route

Number of suspect(s)Number of suspect(s)

Number of victims/witnessesNumber of victims/witnesses

Size and location of eventSize and location of event

How reliable is the informationHow reliable is the information

2828

Patrol Active Assailant DeploymentPatrol Active Assailant Deployment

Active Assailant incidents have common Active Assailant incidents have common elements but each is sufficiently uniqueelements but each is sufficiently unique

These procedures are not meant to limit These procedures are not meant to limit conventional police tacticsconventional police tactics

2929

Primary ObjectivePrimary Objective

Save livesSave lives

Capture or neutralize the assailantCapture or neutralize the assailant

Deny access to additional victimsDeny access to additional victims

3030

Who Can Initiate Deployment?Who Can Initiate Deployment?

One initial officer must take charge One initial officer must take charge

May be based on rank, expertise or May be based on rank, expertise or seniority, but MUST BE MADE seniority, but MUST BE MADE IMMEDIATELY IMMEDIATELY

May change to supervisor/commander May change to supervisor/commander after briefingafter briefing

3131

Intelligence/Situational AnalysisIntelligence/Situational Analysis

Continuously changes based on new Continuously changes based on new infoinfo

Is this an Active Assailant event?Is this an Active Assailant event?

Is immediate intervention necessary?Is immediate intervention necessary?

3232

SWAT/Tactical TeamsSWAT/Tactical Teams

SWAT must be activated immediately SWAT must be activated immediately for effective response but officers at for effective response but officers at the scene of an active assailant .the scene of an active assailant .DO NOT WAIT for SWATDO NOT WAIT for SWAT

3333

Incident CommandIncident Command ICS leads to successful conclusionICS leads to successful conclusion

Do not initiate unplanned response without Do not initiate unplanned response without control/command in placecontrol/command in place

At least one person with information on the tactical plan At least one person with information on the tactical plan should remain at command post to briefshould remain at command post to brief

Command personnel must be on scene and fully briefed Command personnel must be on scene and fully briefed before assuming incident commandbefore assuming incident command

Command personnel should anticipate media response Command personnel should anticipate media response and identify an area for media to stageand identify an area for media to stage

Command personnel should anticipate crowds of Command personnel should anticipate crowds of parents/relatives and have crown control/containment parents/relatives and have crown control/containment planplan

3434

Entry Team CompositionEntry Team Composition First responder intervention will be based on First responder intervention will be based on opportunity and sufficient resourcesopportunity and sufficient resources

Can be three, four or five man teamsCan be three, four or five man teams How many officers are on team is based on availability How many officers are on team is based on availability

of resources, intelligence on suspect(s) and necessity of of resources, intelligence on suspect(s) and necessity of immediate responseimmediate response

Larger team is more effective and safer for responding Larger team is more effective and safer for responding officersofficers

Each Contact Team operates independently of Each Contact Team operates independently of other teamsother teams

3535

Entry Team CompositionEntry Team Composition Communicate using plain English, easy to Communicate using plain English, easy to understand terms (no 10 codes) – your understand terms (no 10 codes) – your team may be made up of officers from team may be made up of officers from different jurisdictionsdifferent jurisdictions

May become containment team if assailants May become containment team if assailants dynamic actions cease or becomes a dynamic actions cease or becomes a barricaded subjectbarricaded subject

3636

Entry Team CompositionEntry Team Composition

Teams will have identified team leaderTeams will have identified team leader

Directs movementDirects movement

CommunicationsCommunications

Cover for entry officersCover for entry officers

3737

Entry Team CompositionEntry Team CompositionEntry Officer(s)Entry Officer(s)

Enters and clears roomsEnters and clears rooms

Engages threats if present in roomEngages threats if present in room

Notifies team leader when clear and Notifies team leader when clear and victim/civilian victim/civilian status status

3838

Entry Team CompositionEntry Team CompositionBreacherBreacher Opens doors for entry officer(s)Opens doors for entry officer(s)

If door is locked and there is not indication of If door is locked and there is not indication of active assailant inside, bypass dooractive assailant inside, bypass door

If door is locked and there is active assailant If door is locked and there is active assailant inside, you MUST breach that door – get in that inside, you MUST breach that door – get in that room somehowroom somehow

Can be additional entry officers in a five man Can be additional entry officers in a five man teamteam

3939

Entry Team CompositionEntry Team Composition

Remember,Remember, assignment on team may assignment on team may change at any time due to a variety of change at any time due to a variety of factors, so officers must be familiar with factors, so officers must be familiar with each position and its responsibilitieseach position and its responsibilities

4040

3-Officer Element3-Officer Element

One COVER/REAR GUARDOne COVER/REAR GUARD

Two ENTRYTwo ENTRY

4141

3-Officer Element – Closed Door Tactic3-Officer Element – Closed Door Tactic

Entry 1 will hold on the closed Entry 1 will hold on the closed door.door.

Entry 2 will hold on the closed Entry 2 will hold on the closed door.door.

Cover/Rear Guard will be called up Cover/Rear Guard will be called up to breach the closed door. If to breach the closed door. If needed, he can be called to assist needed, he can be called to assist in room clearing.in room clearing.

4242

4-Officer Element4-Officer Element

One COVER One COVER

Two ENTRY Two ENTRY

One BREACH/REAR GUARDOne BREACH/REAR GUARD

4343

4-Officer – Closed Door Tactic4-Officer – Closed Door TacticCover will pass the Cover will pass the closed doorclosed door

Entry 1 will hold on Entry 1 will hold on the closed doorthe closed door

Entry 2 will hold on Entry 2 will hold on the closed doorthe closed door

Breach/Rear Guard Breach/Rear Guard will be called up to will be called up to breach the closed breach the closed door. If needed, he door. If needed, he can be called to assist can be called to assist in room clearingin room clearing

INWARD OUTWARD

4444

4-Officer Element–Open Door Tactic4-Officer Element–Open Door TacticCover officer will flank Cover officer will flank either left or right, without either left or right, without exposing himself to the exposing himself to the open door.open door.

Entry officer will enter the Entry officer will enter the open door.open door.

Entry officer will enter the Entry officer will enter the open door.open door.

Breach/Rear Guard Breach Breach/Rear Guard Breach officer will act as rear officer will act as rear guard. If needed, he can guard. If needed, he can be called to assist in room be called to assist in room clearing.clearing.

4545

5-Officer Element5-Officer Element

One COVEROne COVER

Two ENTRYTwo ENTRY

One BREACHOne BREACH

One REAR GUARDOne REAR GUARD

4646

5-Officer Element-Closed Door5-Officer Element-Closed DoorCover officer will pass Cover officer will pass the closed doorthe closed door

Entry officers will hold Entry officers will hold on the closed dooron the closed door

Breach officer will be Breach officer will be the 3the 3rdrd entry officer entry officer into the roominto the room

Rear guard will Rear guard will provide cover to the provide cover to the rear of the elementrear of the element

OUTWARDINWARD

4747

Tactical ConsiderationsTactical ConsiderationsThings to expectThings to expect Total pandemoniumTotal pandemonium Frightened/confused victims who are not Frightened/confused victims who are not

responsive to officers’ direction (May grab onto responsive to officers’ direction (May grab onto officers)officers)

Difficult radio communicationsDifficult radio communications Fire alarm/sprinkler activationFire alarm/sprinkler activation Suspicious packages/devices (IED)Suspicious packages/devices (IED) Carnage – possibly of very young childrenCarnage – possibly of very young children Armed citizens trying to “help”Armed citizens trying to “help” Off-duty/plainclothes officersOff-duty/plainclothes officers

4848

Off-duty Category III Officer Tactical Off-duty Category III Officer Tactical ConsiderationsConsiderations

Contact 911 to initiate on-duty officer Contact 911 to initiate on-duty officer responseresponse Stay on line for real-time intelligenceStay on line for real-time intelligence

If challenged by a uniformed officer, they If challenged by a uniformed officer, they are in charge. DO WHAT THEY SAYare in charge. DO WHAT THEY SAY

DO NOT JOIN ENTRY TEAMDO NOT JOIN ENTRY TEAM

Be an excellent eye witnessBe an excellent eye witness

4949

Contact Team AssessmentContact Team Assessment

Communicate victim locations and Communicate victim locations and conditions – prioritizeconditions – prioritize

Suspicious devices/Improvised Suspicious devices/Improvised Explosive Device (IED) types and Explosive Device (IED) types and locationslocations

Suspect location and descriptionSuspect location and description

5050

Team Leader should assure that team:Team Leader should assure that team:Moves with 360 degree coverageMoves with 360 degree coverage

Stops assailant(s)Stops assailant(s)

Limits movement of assailant(s)Limits movement of assailant(s)

Prevents assailant(s) escapePrevents assailant(s) escape

Continues past victimsContinues past victims

Continues past suspicious devices Continues past suspicious devices Improvised Explosive when safe to do soImprovised Explosive when safe to do so

5151

Theatres/Auditoriums/WarehousesTheatres/Auditoriums/WarehousesChoose initial entry point(s) that provide the Choose initial entry point(s) that provide the best overall view of the area, ideally from an best overall view of the area, ideally from an elevated positionelevated position

Decide whether turning on overhead lights Decide whether turning on overhead lights will be an advantage of disadvantagewill be an advantage of disadvantage

Recognize cross fire threatRecognize cross fire threat

Don’t overlook closets and storage areasDon’t overlook closets and storage areas

5252

EMS ResponseEMS ResponseResponsibility of coordination with EMS falls to Responsibility of coordination with EMS falls to incident commander or designeeincident commander or designeeCreate staging/triage area in cooperation with EMS Create staging/triage area in cooperation with EMS commandcommand Consider proximity to assailant and and available Consider proximity to assailant and and available

cover/concealmentcover/concealment May be inside a building/room relatively close to May be inside a building/room relatively close to

assailantassailant If extra protective equipment available, provide to EMS If extra protective equipment available, provide to EMS

personnelpersonnel Law enforcement officer should be stationed in triage Law enforcement officer should be stationed in triage

area for security – assailant(s) may try to flee by leaving area for security – assailant(s) may try to flee by leaving with victimswith victims

5353

Ceasing Active Assailant DeploymentCeasing Active Assailant DeploymentReasons for stopping immediate Reasons for stopping immediate intervention:intervention: Neutralization/capture of suspectNeutralization/capture of suspect Becomes barricaded suspectBecomes barricaded suspect

If suspect is taken into custodyIf suspect is taken into custody Secure suspect & take back to Rescue TeamSecure suspect & take back to Rescue Team Contact team starts building searchContact team starts building search If there is another active assailant, leave one If there is another active assailant, leave one

Contact Team member with suspect while Contact Team member with suspect while remainder of team resumes searchremainder of team resumes search

5454

Change over to building searchChange over to building searchIf SWAT is on scene, they should take If SWAT is on scene, they should take command of building clearingcommand of building clearing

If first responders are clearing building, If first responders are clearing building, use established building clearing use established building clearing techniquestechniques

Remember before, during and after the Remember before, during and after the incident, the area is a crime scene – may incident, the area is a crime scene – may be very large and needs to be secured for be very large and needs to be secured for investigative unitsinvestigative units

5555

Room ClearingRoom Clearing2-OfficerAreas of Responsibilities

2nd Officer Areas of Responsibilities

1st Officer Areas of Responsibilities

5656

2-Officer

Areas of responsibilities

Overlapping

Room ClearingRoom Clearing

5757

Room ClearingRoom Clearing

3-OfficerAreas of Responsibilities

5858

3-Officer

Areas of responsibilities

Overlapping

Room Clearing

5959

SummarySummarySuspect(s) begin to shoot at people without Suspect(s) begin to shoot at people without warningwarningActive Assailants are likely to continue to use Active Assailants are likely to continue to use deadly physical force until intervention occurs or deadly physical force until intervention occurs or until the shooter decides to stopuntil the shooter decides to stopActive Assailant concept represents a shift in Active Assailant concept represents a shift in patrol response tactics, equipment needs, and patrol response tactics, equipment needs, and command protocolcommand protocolThese situations require the initial police These situations require the initial police responders arriving on the scene to have the responders arriving on the scene to have the authority and the capability to take action without authority and the capability to take action without waiting for command staff or for the arrival of waiting for command staff or for the arrival of specialty unitsspecialty units

6060

SummarySummaryIf you witness an active assailant incident, If you witness an active assailant incident, call 911call 911

Stay on the line and provide IntelStay on the line and provide Intel

Be an excellent eye witnessBe an excellent eye witness

Follow all directions from uniformed staffFollow all directions from uniformed staff

Do not join the entry teamDo not join the entry team