RESPONSE TO ACTIVE
SHOOTERS
1
Instructor
Introductions
2
Training Goals
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The student will be familiar with:
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Historical overview of active shooter situations
Police lessons learned from school shootings
School “Armed Intruder” procedures
School priorities during an active shooter situation
Police priorities during an active shooter situation
Police equipment and training needs
Contact /rescue team tactics for immediate deployment.
3
Course Administration
Items
Roster Verification
Course Critiques
Safety Briefing
4
Pre-test
5
CBS Sixty Minutes Story
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What really happened at Columbine?
6
7
Active Shooter Intro
Video
Video #1, part 1
8
Familiar?
9
Texas Tower Incident
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August 1, 1966
Austin TX
Suspect, Charles Whitman
Killed 15 people (including an unborn baby)
Wounded 31 (as far away as two blocks)
Resolved by two police officers
10
Other Active Shooter Incidents
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McDonald’s Massacre
North Hollywood Bank Robbery
Columbine High School, Littleton, CO
11
McDonald’s Massacre
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July 18, 1984
San Ysidro, CA
Suspect, James Huberty,
Killed 21
Wounded 11
Killed by Sniper
12
North Hollywood Bank Robbery
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February 27, 1997
North Hollywood, CA
Suspects, Larry Phillips
and Emil Mosuranyo
Wounded 13
One suspect commits
suicide the other is
killed by SWAT
13
Columbine High School
Littleton CO
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April 20, 1999
Littleton CO
Suspects Harris and Klebold
Killed 13
Wounded dozens
Both suspects commit
suicide
14
Lesson Learned
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Active shooter incidents are spontaneous.
Suspects behavior unpredictable.
Pre-incident signs existed in school incidents.
Incidents occur in a target rich environment.
First responders outgunned and/or didn’t have the
training to respond to an active shooter situation.
A tactical intervention was too late.
Multi-jurisdictional response issues were present.
15
Definitions
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Active Shooter
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Suspect (s) activity is immediately causing death and
serious bodily injury. The activity is not contained and
there is immediate risk of death or serious injury to
potential victims.
Immediate Deployment
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The swift and immediate deployment of law enforcement
resources to on-going, life threatening situations where
delayed deployment could otherwise result in death or
great bodily injury to innocent persons.
16
Definitions
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Dynamic Situation
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The situation is evolving very rapidly along with
the suspect’s action. Example, shooting and
moving.
Static Situation
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The situation is not evolving or in motion, it
suspect actions appear to be contained. Example,
suspect is barricaded in a room.
17
Definitions
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Time Line of Violence
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The period of time from the suspects first violent action until
his action is stopped or he/she transitions to another activity.
Incident Transition
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That point in the incident where the “active shooter”
stops his/her violent actions and tries to escape or
barricades themselves.
18
Definitions
Barricade Suspect
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Suspect is in a position of advantage, usually
barricaded in a room or building.
Suspect is armed and has displayed violence.
May or may not be holding a hostage (s)
There is no indication that the suspect(s) activity is
immediately causing death or serious bodily injury.
The event is not dynamic but rather static.
19
A School and Police
Partnership
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Work together to develop realistic school safety
plans in response to various threats.
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Conduct joint, school and police, training
sessions to test procedures.
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Conduct joint, school and police, field training
exercises in a realistic environment with
maximum sensory overload.
20
Memorandum of Understanding
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Between the police and the schools
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Purpose
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To Establish procedures to be followed when an incident
involving an act of violence or possession of a weapon
occurs on school property.
21
School Priorities During an “Active
Shooter” Situation
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Protect the lives of children, teachers and staff.
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Have a crisis management team and detailed School
Safety Plan
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Implement an “Armed Intruder” procedure.
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Notify police.
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Provide follow-up counseling to children, teachers,
and staff.
22
School “Armed Intruder” Procedures
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What are school procedures when an “Active Shooter”
starts his/her rampage?
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Must address a variety of threats
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Have mutually agreed upon procedures
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There must be training and exercises.
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Almost always have issues regarding school and police
response.
23
Lockdown or Evacuate?
24
School Lock Down Procedures
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Signal/code
Lock Doors
Safe Area
Account for Students
Do Not Open Door Until
Police Arrive
Communicate
Rules of Thumb For Schools
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Call 911 and stay on the phone.
Isolate and evacuate as soon as possible.
Collect as much information as possible.
 Don’t
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try to be a hero.
Allow police first responders to make contact.
26
Resolution of an “Active
Shooter” Situation
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Most likely by patrol.
Non-traditional response.
Minimum number of officers.
Properly equipped.
Properly trained.
Able to transition to a barricade situation.
27
Police Priorities During An “Active
Shooter” Situations
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The capture or neutralization of the suspect, as soon as
possible.
The lives of those in proximity of the shooter.
The lives and safety of citizens in the area.
The safety of police officers.
Containment.
After event investigation and a return to normalcy.
28
LE Policy and Procedure for
Response to Active Shooters
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Do we need a police response policy for “active
shooter” situations?
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Do we need procedures for “active shooter”
situations?
29
Police First Responder Tactics
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Position your patrol vehicle to act as cover with the best
possible field of view.
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Use a target site numbering system consistent with
department policy for points of reference.
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Collect and communicate assessment of situation
clearly and concisely
30
DEPLOYMENT
3
2
Target Site
1
4
Building - Side/Opening
Designation . . .
Side 4
Side 3
1
2
Side 2
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2
1
1
1
2
3
4
5
Side 1 - FRONT
Sides - Clockwise - starting with front as Side 1
Levels - Bottom to top
Openings - left to right
First Responder
Actions
Tulsa Video
Video #1, Part 2
33
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Weapons
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Proper Equipment
for Patrol Officers
Shouldered fired weapon with light mounts, shotgun
with slug or police rifle.
Protective Gear
Ballistic helmet
 Ballistic shields
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Mechanical Breaching Equipment
Halligan tool
 Sledge hammer
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34
Weapons
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Why a shoulder fired
weapon?
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Accurate weapons fire
Defeat body armor
Over penetration
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Not an issue
35
Protective Gear
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Ballistic Helmets
Ballistic Shields
36
Breaching Equipment
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Sledge hammer
Halligan tool
Ram
37
Off Duty-Plain Clothes Personnel
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Should be Clearly
Identifiable as Police
Officers
Windbreaker, External
Armor with placards,
traffic vests, etc.
Radio Communications
available
38
Police Response to Dynamic –
Active Shooter Incident
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Quick Assessment
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Communicate
Assessment
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Quick Intervention
Quick Assessment
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Obtain as much information as possible en-route
the location.
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Suspect actions (static or dynamic), location, description,
weapons
Victim injuries and location
Request school official to meet you in the parking lot
Upon arrival position yourself in the best possible
location
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On side one, front of school
Determine if you have an active shooter or possible
barricade situation
40
Communications
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First responding officer becomes the ad-hoc
incident commander until relieved by a
supervisor.
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Collect information enroute and upon arrival at
the location and communicate this information
as quickly and concisely as possible to dispatch
and responding units.
41
Ad-hoc Incident Commander
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Responsibilities.
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Collect information.
Direct responding units to a staging area.
Assemble an entry-contact team and move to the
shooter.
Remain outside the location to direct additional
responding units.
Transition command to a supervisor
42
Intervention
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If a barricade situation use the 4Cs
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Contain, Control, Communicate, Call SWAT.
If a dynamic, active shooter situation
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Put together an entry-contact team made up of patrol
officers and move to the shooter.
Maintain an ad-hoc incident commander outside the location
to gather additional information and direct additional
responding personnel to location.
43
Immediate
Deployment Tactics
Patrol or SWAT
Contact-Rescue Team
Concept
44
Immediate Deployment
Definition . . .
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The swift and immediate deployment of law
enforcement resources to on-going, life
threatening situations where delayed
deployment could otherwise result in death or
great bodily injury to innocent persons.
45
When Utilized . . .
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Aggressive Deadly Behavior
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Suspect(s) actively engaged in causing death or great bodily harm.
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e.g., “Active Shooter,” edged weapon assaults, explosives, etc.
And . . .
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The location is believed to contain multiple victims. e.g., schools, parks,
playgrounds, sporting events, day care, high-rise structures etc.
Citizen/Officer Rescue
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Deadly assault(s) may or may not be on-going.
Delayed law enforcement action could result in continued injury to
citizens/officers.
Delayed recovery of victim(s) could result in victim(s)’ demise.
46
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Immediate deployment tactics are not a
substitute for conventional response to
Barricaded Subjects.
47
Organization . . .
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Minimum - (3-4) Officers
1. Team Leader
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Delegates team member responsibilities.
Formulates and implements plan.
2. Assistant Team Leader
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Communicates with responding units.
Acts as additional Contact or Rescue Officer.
3. Designated Cover Officer (Point )
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Armed with shotgun (Slug ammo if Dept. criteria is met).
Police Rifle - if Dept. criteria is met.
4. Rear Guard
48
Deployment . . .
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Organize Contact/Rescue teams.
Attempt diagonal deployment:
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Place containment teams in a position to cover the “Predictable
Target Area”
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Area that suspect can potentially move within
Area where suspect may attempt to escape
Area where suspect has access to vehicles
Move to location and attempt to stop violence
Coordinate 360 degree containment with other responding
units and SWAT
When SWAT arrives - transition control
49
Contact Team Conduct
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Priority is to make CONTACT with the
suspect(s).
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Move with 360 degree coverage (point, flanks, rear).
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Stop deadly behavior.
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Limit movement of suspect(s).
50
Contact Team Movement
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Four Person Diamond
Formation
51
Contact Team
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Prevent suspect escape.
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Continue past victim(s).
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Continue past explosives.
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Communicate progress to other responders.
52
Contact Team
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Provide preliminary assessment:
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Victim(s)’ locations and medical needs.
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Prioritize if possible.
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Explosives - type and location.
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Suspect(s)’ description and location
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Types of weapons (if known).
53
Rescue Team Conduct
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Priority is
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Identify suspect(s) location if possible.
Enter and/or approach location to locate victim(s).
Extract victim to a safe area and notify the Incident Commander.
Notify medical personnel if necessary.
When multiple victims are present . . .
Expand Rescue Team size as needed and emphasize:
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RESCUE & RECOVERY of victim(s).
Custody, Control and Accountability of victims
Coordinate actions with the Contact Team Leader and other
responding personnel.
54
Victim Located . . .
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After locating victim, first
officer steps over and
provides cover.
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Cover danger areas.
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Secure victim and evacuate
- communicate recovery to
Incident Commander.
55
Victim Located…
56
Contact Team
Movement
Video Clips
Patrol officers in contact team
formations
Video # 3, Scenes 1-22
57
Contact/Rescue Team Movement
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From vehicles to the building
Building entry
Movement to contact
Halls
 Stairs
 Room entry and clearing
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Variety of configurations
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Criss Cross
Step in and button hook
58
Contact Rescue Team Movement
Hallways
4
2
3
1
1. DCO – Designated Cover Officer (Point
man)
2. L.C. – Left Cover
3. R.C. – Right Cover
4. R.G. – Right Guard
ROOM ENTRY – Closed Door
Criss-Cross
4
2
3
1
4
1
3
2
2
3
ROOM ENTRY – Open or Closed Door
Step In – Button Hook
3
2
2
1
4
3
1
4
3
3
3
2
2
3
2
2
Contact – Rescue Team Movement
Past Open Doors
2
2
1
4
3
4
1
3
Movement & Room Clearing Variations
4
2
3
1
Considerations
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Losing contact with the suspect
Suspect contact and apprehension
Evacuations
Use of deadly force
Suppressive Fire
What to expect on entry
Encountering explosive devices
64
Losing Contact
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What do you do when the shots and the
screaming stops during your entry?
Has the suspect committed suicide?
 Has he taken hostage and barricaded himself ?
 Has he escaped.
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Lock team down in room or area and listen,
request updates and collect intel
65
Suspect Contact and Apprehension
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Primary goal
Stop suspect’s deadly behavior
 Take suspect into custody
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Remain in a position of cover, bring suspect to
you.
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Give clear and concise orders to suspect.
66
Evacuations
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Evacuations for an active shooter are not like a fire
drill
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Move to a safe distance behind cover
Types of evacuations
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Escorted
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Unescorted
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Police accompany evacuees to safe area.
Police direct evacuees to a safe area.
When in doubt, have teachers and student secure
themselves in a classroom until a police escort can be
provided.
67
Use of Deadly Force . . .
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Based on IDOL (Immediate Defense Of Life).
INDIVIDUAL OFFICER makes decision.
Does not require approval from higher authority.
Utilized to stop the threat.
The law - “Objectively Reasonable.”
no exception to
the law . . . or policy
68
Suppressive Fire . . .
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A worst-case scenario - should only be employed when other
options are not REASONABLE.
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Directed at a “target specific” threat.
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Utilized to stop or prevent deadly behavior caused by the
suspect(s) when . . .
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Always be cognizant of background
Entering an exposed area to gain a tactical advantage
Entering an exposed area to affect a rescue/recovery
All personnel must be aware of intended deployment.
69
What To Expect Upon Entry . . .
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Noise, confusion, screaming, alarms etc.
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Victims running, hiding, confused and
frightened - not responding to law
enforcement directions.
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Carnage.
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Fire and sprinkler operations.
70
Encountering Explosives . . .
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Identify and report locations.
Position an officer for protection.
Don’t move - don’t touch.
Visually inspect for potential detonation.
 Trip wires, timing device burning fuse etc.
Move past - continue to locate suspect(s) and/or
victim(s).
71
SWAT Arrival During an Active
Shooter Situation
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Coordinate and relinquish responsibility as soon as possible.
Assist with containment responsibilities if necessary.
Assist with rescue teams if necessary.
Act as a “pathfinder” for responding SWAT personnel:
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Direct to last known location of suspect(s)
Report location of explosives
Provide any additional pertinent information
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Weaponry, suspect description, etc.
72
School and Police
Response to Barricade
Hostage Situations
Handling The Transition of an Active
Shooter Situation to a Barricade
Situation
73
Incident Transition Issues
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Suspect driven
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Is the suspect’s actions causing immediate death or
serious bodily injury?
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Is he barricaded alone or does he have hostages?

Should there be First Responder negotiations with
the suspect?
74
School Response to Barricade
“Static” Events
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Isolate Suspect
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Communicate to
Police
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Start Evacuation
Police Response To Barricade Event
Contain
 Control
 Communicate
 Call SWAT
(4 C’s)
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Police Priorities
Barricade Incident
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Lives of the Hostage (s)
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Lives of innocent bystanders
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Lives of police officers
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Lives of the suspect (s)
77
Contemporary Tactics
Using Negotiations and
SWAT Have
Successfully Resolved
Over 95 % of Incidents
Without Shots Being
Fired
Negotiations and SWAT
Response
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Negotiators will establish contact with the
suspect as soon as possible.

SWAT will begin to develop a tactical plan to
resolve the situation if negotiations fail.
79
SWAT Response To Barricade Incident

Setup perimeters. Relieve
patrol from the inner
perimeter.
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Facilitate evacuations and
isolate suspect to smallest
area.
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Develop tactical options.
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Tactical resolution a final
option only if negotiations
fail.
Ongoing Issues
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Police must have access to schools and school plans.

Team approach, police and schools, developing school
policy and procedures.

Training all parties using realistic scenario based
training.
81
Post Course Activities
Written Test
Course Critiques
Course Closeout
82
Always be prepared and never, never,
give up!
83