A June 2014 report highlights a significant increase in active shooter incidents in the U.S., with projections indicating 20 events by the end of the year. Active shooters typically target soft locations like workplaces and schools, and they often exhibit signs of distress prior to their attacks. Preparedness measures outlined include recognition of emergency exits, participation in drills, and effective communication with law enforcement during an incident.

1. According to a June 2014 report by J. Pete Blair, a criminal justice professor
at Texas State University, active shootings are occurring at a rate of more
than one a month. Research numbers show an average of 5 incidents per
year from 2000 to 2008. By 2011, the incidents had more than doubled, with
eleven active shooters trying to murder others that year. In 2012, the number
of active shooting events went up again to fifteen. 2013 had sixteen incidents.
And thus far into 2014, Dr. Blair’s study has already logged 9 active shooting
events and we are only half way through the year!
That puts the nation on pace to top last year’s already sizable
count and end up with 20 active shooting events by the end of
this calendar year!
According to the US Department
of Justice, active shooter scenarios
leave little room for reasoning or
negotiation.
2014 is on track to be the deadliest on record for active shootings in
the US. In this month’s issue of SecurAlert, we thought we would
provide you with the latest information on this horrific crime and
what you can do to help respond to an incident.

2. An active shooter is defined by
the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security as“an individual actively
engaged in killing or attempting
to kill people in a confined and
populated area.”
Inmostcases,activeshootersusefirearm[s]andthereisnopatternormethodtotheir
selectionofvictims.
Most active shooter cases occur in locations where the shooter has been undeterred and unobstructed from
carrying out their attack. The incident locations have often been described as soft targets with limited active
security measures or armed personnel to provide protection for members of the public. In most instances,
shooters have either taken their own lives, been shot by police, or surrendered when forced with a
confrontation by law enforcement.
According to the US Department of Justice, active shooter scenarios leave little room for reasoning or
negotiation. The agenda of the active shooter is straightforward: kill or harm as many individuals as possible
until cornered or captured by law enforcement. Escape is not typically a priority. In the majority of cases,
active shooters have already decided that they will commit suicide.
Described as “social isolates” who “harbored feelings of hate and anger” active shooters often had some
contact with mental health professionals, according to the FBI. While a common factor, the functional role
that mental illness plays in causing a massacre cannot really be determined, according to FBI analysis. Very
few of the shooters had,“previous arrests for violent crimes, though many had encountered a significant
emotional hardship prior to the attack such as loss of significant relationships, changes in financial status,
loss of a job, changes in living arrangements, major adverse changes to life circumstances, and/or feelings of
humiliation or rejection on the part of the shooter.”
Most mass shootings occur where people spend most of their time – work and school – with 48% of
active shootings taking place at businesses; 30% at schools; 18% in outdoor places and 12% in other
locations, such as shopping malls, movie theaters, churches and military bases. A survey by ABCNews.com
of the 25 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history, dating back to the 1966 University of Texas shooting,
which killed 16, substantiated these statistics by reporting that most active shooter killings also occurred
at workplaces or schools.

3. Considerations when an active
shooter is in your vicinity
n Call 911 and building security if
you can do so safely.
n Evacuate the area if there is an
accessible escape path; leave
your belongings, laptop, etc.
behind; keep hands visible and
follow the directives of law
enforcement.
n Once outside, get away from
the building and out of the line
of fire of the shooter and
responding police.
n As difficult as it is to say, DO
NOT stop to help injured pesons
as you are escaping; this puts
you in danger and many times a
shooter will return to the people
he just shot; but of course that is
YOUR decision to make.
n If sounds indicating shooter is approaching, call 911
When Hiding
n Be out of the shooter’s view
n Lock /barricade door
n Hide under or behind a large item – stay low
n Shut off lights
n Shut off computers, radios
n Silence cell phones, watch alarms, anything that can beep
or cause a noise
n Unplug any room phone so it won’t ring
n Close blinds or other window treatments
n Be silent
n Stay away from door and windows
Never respond to unfamiliar voices/knocks; Never open
door even if person claims to be the police
(leave line open if you can’t talk); hide in office space
n If you can’t evacuate, hide out; find a safe place to hide
where the shooter is less likely to find you

4. Prevention/Readiness
Considerations
To help prepare you for a
potential active shooter situation,
here are some things you can do:
n Know the location of the nearest
emergency exits to you.
n Actively participate in your
building’s annual fire drill to
make you aware of exits, escape
routes and assembly areas.
n If you hear what sounds like
gunshots – don’t assume they are
“fireworks”; call security and
911 immediately.
n Report any strange behavior or
threats from co-workers – many
persons who commit workplace
violence do give signs of their
distress.
n Report suspicious persons or
behavior to building security,
management or the police.
n Follow your building’s security
procedures TO THE LETTER –
never hold open a secured door
for strangers.
n Scope out in advance a safe area
to hide in an emergency.
What to do in an active shooter
scenerio:
RUN:
get away from the danger FAST!
HIDE:
If you can’t get away, find a safe place where you
can hide
FIGHT:
If you are confronted by the shooter, fight to save
your life
(Source: Department of Homeland Defense; FBI)
Download an active shooter training video specifically
made for the general public by going to www.fbi.gov

5. Considerations for Management and Emergency Planning
There is no 100% method to completely prevent an active shooter situation, but management should
be prepared. Considerations include:
n Regular evacuation and shelter-in-place training exercises
n Creation of an emergency action plan that includes methods for reporting emergencies, an evacuation plan
and an emergency notification system to alert employees and occupants of an emergency situation
n Establish a pre-determined location for a primary and alternate incident command center
n Providing building and floor drawings to your local public safety agencies to use in deploying personnel
n Conducting training exercises for management staff on recognizing the sound of gunshots, how to react to
an active shooter, how to communicate with law enforcement and building occupants, how to interface with
authorities
n Training for management on workplace violence recognition, prevention and mitigation
n Working with your local police department in vetting any plan and providing training to building occupants
on how to react to a active shooter situation
When approaching law
enforcement in an incident:
n Remain calm, and follow
officers’ instructions
n Put down any items in your
hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
n Immediately raise hands and
spread fingers
n Keep hands visible at all
times
n Avoid making quick move
ments toward officers such as
holding on to them for safety
n Avoid pointing, screaming
and/or yelling
n Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when
evacuating, just proceed in the direction to which you have
been asked to go

6. For more Information on Active
Shooter readiness go to:
n www.dhs.gov
n www.fbi.gov
n www.alerrt.org
IfYOU make the decision to
physically confront the shooter:
n Act immediately and as
aggressively as possible
n Do so when the shooter is
distracted (such as re-loading his
weapon)
n Be totally committed to your
actions
n If you do incapacitate the shooter,
try getting his firearm away from
him
n “Use any improvised weapon” – put
that after 3rd bullet, “Be Totally
committed to your actions)
Active shooter event stats (2000 to 2012)
Median police response time: 3 minutes (very fast!)
Median # of victims shot per event: 5
Single shooters conducted all attacks; 94% were male;
diverse racial/ethnic categories; ages varied
Weapon of choice: pistol (59% of events)
In 49% of active shootings, the incident was over before
police arrive (69% of shooters committed suicide)
If Confronted by an Active Shooter
n Try to remain calm and quiet
n Make eye contact
n Call 911; leave line open (if you can safely do this).
n Follow shooter’s instructions unless it endangers you or others.
n Attempt to flee to safe location (doors, windows, etc.) – use
zig-zag motion so it is more difficult for the shooter to aim
at you
n Attempt to talk with shooter, if possible (“What can I do to
help you?”)
n Never argue or provoke shooter