Active Shooter Events: Historical Context

• The Department of Homeland Security defines an Active Assailant as someone "actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area."
• Active shooters often use firearms without a discernible pattern in victim selection.

Historical Context and Policy Evolution

• The Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999, marked a turning point in law enforcement's approach to active shooter events, previously known as "school shootings."
• Initial law enforcement responses to active shooter events involved:
  • Establishing a perimeter to contain the situation.
  • Calling specialized tactical teams (SWAT, CERT, etc.).
• The philosophy was that specialized teams would neutralize the threat once the area was contained and isolated.
• Weaknesses in tactical training and critical incident protocol were exposed after Columbine.
• Law enforcement professionals now train as first responders to swiftly end active shooter incidents.
• Empowering on-scene first responders to immediately act and save lives became the primary focus.

Common Characteristics of Active Assailants

• Active Assailants often target multiple victims.
• Locations with high concentrations of people, such as schools, theaters, and shopping centers are often targeted.
• Motives are rooted in hatred or rage, not financial gain.
• Containment and negotiation tactics may be ineffective against active shooters.
• Active Assailants frequently create detailed attack plans and are often heavily armed.
• There is often familiarity with the chosen location.
• Suicide is common within Active Assailants.
• Escape is typically not a priority.
• Concealing identity is not common in Active Assailants.
• A location is sometimes chosen for tactical advantage.

Active Assailant vs. Barricaded Subject

• An Active Assailant is actively engaged in taking lives.
• A Barricaded Subject is secured in a location, preventing access, and may or may not have hostages.
• An Active Assailant can become a Barricaded Subject, and vice versa.
• Responses differ: Active Assailant situations require immediate action, while barricaded subjects are handled with departmental policy, potentially involving tactical teams and negotiators.

Tactical Considerations for Off-Duty and Plain Clothes Officers

• Active Assailant events typically involve a significant police response.
• Plain clothes officers must have a plan to identify themselves, considering the perception of responding officers.
• Important considerations for plainclothes officers:
  • Responding officers' perception upon arrival.
  • How to differentiate oneself from the suspect.
  • Mitigating the threat assessment.
• When confronted, officers should:
  • Immediately drop their firearm.
  • Limit movements and keep hands visible.
  • Verbally identify themselves as police officers repeatedly.
  • Immediately comply with commands.
  • Provide information about the suspect.
  • Advise officers of the location of identification, without attempting to retrieve it unless instructed.
• Plainclothes action is often taken alone, under-equipped, and with limited communication.
• Incidents have occurred where off-duty and plainclothes officers have been shot by other officers.

Primary Objective in Active Assailant Response

• Stopping the threat is the primary objective.
• Preventing additional casualties is the rationale behind stopping the threat.
• High risks to law enforcement require sound tactics.
• Lethal force is the most rapid means to stop an Active Assailant, but alternatives include:
  • Active Assailant self-termination.
  • Containment/confinement.
  • Lack of victims/targets.
  • Transition to Barricaded Suspect scenario.
  • Surrender.
  • These alternatives are historically significant means to end an incident.

Tactical Deployment Considerations

• Tactics vary based on locale, policy, resources, and syllabi.
• Agencies are encouraged to train with assisting law enforcement agencies.

Key Principles

• Don't Run to Your Death: Respond safely, adjusting speed to the threat.
• Information/Intelligence: Assess the credibility and timeliness of available information.
• Individual Skills and Equipment: Patrol-oriented tactics, marksmanship, building search, physical fitness, and direct action skills are essential.
• Minimalistic equipment requirements are preferred, focusing on essential tools.
• Clear verbal and non-verbal communication for de-confliction and coordination with other officers is crucial.
• Team Skills: While solo entry may be necessary, teams increase the chances of success.
• Law enforcement wants to have as many guns in the fight as possible.
• Strategy and Tactics: Concepts such as interior and exterior movement, triage, and actions on target are taught and mastered.
• Mission/Objective: Rapidly eliminate threats to save lives, then facilitate medical treatment and secure the site.
• Priority of Life: Innocent civilians are the priority.

Essential Elements for Success

• Speed, Surprise, and Immediacy of Action: Vital when confronting an armed adversary.
• Pressure Method: Apply pressure to the area to stop the attack.
• Sounds of Violence: Go to the sounds of violence.
• Limitations to the Sounds of Violence: Acknowledge that sounds may be misleading due to echoes.
• See Whole People: Do not fixate on hands holding weapons, instead see "whole people."

Other Tactical Considerations

• Structure Type: Assess indoor/outdoor, secured/unsecured.
• Population: Be mindful of children and mass numbers of people.
• Dangerous Materials: Be mindful of dangerous materials.
• Available Resources: Consider weapons, armor, Active Assailant kits, medical kits, breaching tools, and tactical teams.
• Responding Agencies: Note who is responding and from where.
• Communication:Radio Channels, limitations, Link-up and De-confliction
• Solo or team entry: Weigh risks and benefits.
• Universal Tactics: Ensure tactics are complementary among responding agencies.
• Means of Entry: Consider key availability and breaching options.

Additional Considerations

• Locating the Active Assailant
• Booby Traps
• Multiple Killers
• Mobile Active Assailants
• Interacting with Downed Active Assailant(s)
• Site Security
• Handling Medical Response and Casualties

Types of Response

• Solo: Rapid response by a single officer is likely.
• Team: A coordinated team response is preferable when available.
• Movement: Bounding Overwatch from cover to cover when advancing.
• Room Entry: Balance speed and safety, maintaining awareness of potential threats.
• Stairs: Employ sound tactics for ascending and descending stairwells.

Building Clearing and Site Security

• Switch to building clearing and site security after the Active Assailant is neutralized.
• Neutralization does not always involve direct engagement. It may involve self-termination or being engaged by other groups.
• Secure the assailant, even if deceased.
• Conduct a slow, systematic search for additional threats, including:
  • More assailants
  • Booby traps and secondary devices
  • Any unknown or potential threats
• Triage and provide emergency care for victims, prioritizing life.

Officer Rescue

• Establish protocols for aiding and recovering injured law enforcement personnel.
• Responding officers should have the knowledge and equipment for self-aid.
• Primary objective is to locate and stop the threat.
• It is imperative to rescue downed officers who are under fire or in an unsecured zone.
• Considerations during rescue:
  • Number of casualties
  • Status of the casualty
  • Type of medical aid available
  • Location of casualty
  • Location of threat(s)
  • Available assets (personnel, equipment)
  • How to reach the casualty
  • How to evacuate the casualty (on foot, vehicle, or other means)