Active Shooter Workshop

Greater Cleveland Safety Council

Commander Harold PretelCaptain Ron KauntzJune 2013

Today’s DiscussionDefinition of an Active ShooterPrevious active shooter incidentsEvolution of police responsePolice response tacticsHow to react to an active shooterFacility lockdown proceduresWhat to do when law enforcement arrives

Definition of Active ShooterOne or more individuals participating in a

random or systematic killing spree demonstrating their intent to harm others with a firearm. An active shooter’s objective is that of mass murder, rather than committing traditional criminal acts, such as robbery or hostage-taking.

Active shooter attacks are dynamic incidents that vary greatly from one to another.

The FBI analyzed 154 active shooter events in the United States between 2002

and 2012 that included three or more individuals being shot. 

96% of the shooters were males

51% of the shooters were deceased following the attack (43% committed suicide and 8% were shot and killed by responders)

96% of the attacks involved shooters acting alone

37% of the attacks occurred in workplaces and 17% occurred in an academic setting

40% of the attacks were unable to be linked to a clear motivation

21% of the attacks were motivated by workplace retaliation and 14% were motivated by domestic disputes

Academic retaliation by a current or former student only accounted for 7% of the attacks

Stages of an Active-ShooterFantasyPlanningPreparationApproachImplementation

Texas Tower Incident, University of Austin

August 1, 1966Austin, TXSuspect: Charles WhitmanKilled 16 (including wife, mother and an unborn

baby) Wounded 31 (as far away as two blocks)Killed by two police officers

Where was this picture taken?

Columbine High School

April 20, 1999Littleton, COKilled 13Wounded 24Suspects: Harris and KleboldBoth suspects planned to and committed suicide

Who is this?

Suspect: Seung-Hui Cho Virginia Tech Shooting

April 16th, 2007Blacksburg, VAKilled 32 Wounded 23Indications are that Cho meticulously planned the

assault (mailed his “manifesto”, chained and locked doors, moved methodically into rooms, large quantity of ammunition, extra magazines etc.)

Suspect committed suicide

Who is this Officer?

Suspect: Nadal Malik Hasan (Army Major)Fort Hood, Texas Shooting

November 5, 2009Fort Hood Army BaseKilled 13Wounded 43 Shooting in and around a base Soldier

Readiness CenterFN 5.7 pistol (reloaded numerous times)Wounded by two police officers employing RAID

Active Shooter tactics

Who is this?

Jared Lee LaughnerJanuary 8th, 2011Casas Adobes, Arizona in the Tucson Metro AreaSuspect: Jared Lee LoughnerKilled 6 Injured 13, including Representative Gabrielle

GiffordsArrested on scene

Who is this character?

Dark Night Rising, Century Theater shootingAurora, ColoradoSuspect: James HolmesKilled 12 Wounded 64Holmes had set up an extensive array of booby

traps around his homeArrested outside of the movie theater

Sandyhook Elementary SchoolDecember 14th, 2012Newtown, ConnecticutSuspect: Adam Lanza Killed 26, 20 children, 6 adultsWounded 38Committed suicide

John Zawahri

Santa Monica College, CAJune 9th, 2013Santa Monica Community College, CAKilled 5Wounded 14Shot and killed by Police in the College Library

The Evolution of Police Response Pre-Columbine High School-

Conventional responseEstablish perimeter and call SWAT

Post-Columbine High School- Unconventional responseRapid Action Immediate Deployment (RAID)

Rapid Action Immediate Response (RAID)

Until proven otherwise, any unauthorized intruder inside a building will be considered armed, dangerous, and capable of initiating and conducting a plan that includes the mass murder of innocent people.

Law enforcement personnel will enter the building and quickly establish close contact with the intruder(s). This reduces the potential for mass killing.

Rapid Action Immediate Response (RAID)

Officers assemble as a small team; 4-officersTeam enters facility for rescue & engagement The primary focus is reducing the threatOfficers following initiate Incident CommandAdditional officers coordinate & supplement the responseSWAT is not integral to this model; usually requires additional time to respond

Individual responses to an Active Shooter

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!!Your location and the location of the incident dictate

your actions.Evacuate: Have an escape route and a plan in mind.Leave your belongings behind.Keep your hands raised.

Lock down/shelter in place - Hide in an area out of the shooter(s) view or access.

Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors if possible.

As a LAST resortTake action.Only as a last resort and only when your life is in

imminent danger.Act with aggression and attempt to incapacitate

the shooter.Fight the shooter. Rush with lots of people,

throw things or use improvised weapons to take the shooter to the ground.

OutdoorsSeek cover and concealment. What’s the difference? Use whatever is available to obscure you from the

shooter (ex.: walls, trees, poles, buildings, fencing, containers, etc.).

Hide behind something capable of stopping a bullet (ex.: masonry or brick wall, engine block of a car).

Unless you are in imminent danger, if locked down, do not attempt to evacuate without instructions from Law Enforcement Personnel.

Have a working knowledge of your facility (ex.: exits and evacuation routes).

Lockdown SituationIf the shooter is outside the building:Turn off lights, lock windows and doors, close curtains/shades.Stay out of sight of windows & doorsLay down on the floor below window line.Dial 911, give your location, and follow directions.Move to central secure area –only if safe.If the shooter tries to break into the room you are in, leave the

room through an alternate exit (Another door or through the wall/ceiling/window).

Stay until you receive “ALL CLEAR” signal from recognized authority.

Follow directions of recognized police/security personnel.

Facility LockdownActivate the OEP (Office Emergency Plan)Lock doorsUse signals and/or codesSafe AreaAccount for employees & visitorsDo not open door until police arriveCommunicate

When Law Enforcement ArrivesRemain calm and follow instructions.Keep hands raised and spread fingers. Do not grab officers or make sudden movements.Listen -they will be giving instructions.Proceed to the exit directed. If injured, ambulatory

aid will be given outside.Give details of shooter(s) to the officers (ex.: try to

remember and advise officers of the description, numbers (shooters & victims), weapons).

Is it a gun or a phone?

Basic Guidelines for individuals present during an active shooting incident:

1. Assess the situation

2. React

a. Evacuate

b. Hide out/Shelter-in-Place

c. Take action

3. Call 911 when it is safe to do so

?Questions

See Something, Say Something™

1-877-647-4683www.iWatchNEOhio.com

http://training.FEMA.gov/IS/

See Something, Say Something™

1-877-647-4683

www.iWatchNEOhio.com

http://training.FEMA.gov/IS/

What You Can DoReport:Download

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App:

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