Shooters in Schools
School District
&
Law Enforcement
Joint Response
Definition of an Active Shooter

One or more subjects engaged in a
random or systematic shooting spree:


with the intent to continuously harm others,
as opposed to criminal conduct, such as
robbery or hostage taking being their
objective.
COMMONALITIES
in Shootings






Active Shooter incidents are spontaneous, little or no
warning.
Incidents often occur in a target rich (highly populated)
environment.
Suspects are often depressed, angry and suicidal.
Suspects motive is to punish others for their fragile view
of themselves.
Negotiation will NOT work.
Average age for a school shooter is 14.5 years old
How much time do we have to
react?
10 minutes or less
Little Time to React
 Gather all
Nearby
Students
From the
Hallway
No Time to Waste
 Lock the
Classroom
Door
No Time to Waste
 Cover the
Door
Window
No Time to Waste
 Be Silent
 Don’t open
the Door for
anyone
 Wait for help
Benefits of Lock-In
 Ultimately will result in less targets for the
shooter(s)
 Reduces confusion for arriving officers
 Help contain the situation/threat
 Minimize the risk an unintentional shooting
by responding officers
Police Response to
School Shooting
Patrol Response to Shooting
Incidents

Enter the area / building as fast as
possible.

Sole objective is to neutralize the hostile
threat with the least amount of force
possible.
What Officers want to know

Nature of incident, crimes committed

Number / descriptions of suspects

Last known suspected location

Is the situation ACTIVE (shots firing
now) or STATIC?
What Responding Police May
Look Like
After Threat is Neutralized




Secure the remaining area. Start secondary
searches.
EVAC or Care of injured.
Scene Control & Evidence Control
Start Crime scene protocol
Crisis Response Box
Aerial Photos of Campus
Campus map/ building diagrams
Teacher/Employee Roster/ Photos
Building Keys
Fire Alarm Shut off Procedures
Sprinkler Shut off Procedures
Power/Utility Shut off Procedures
Student yearbook or Photos
Use Common Sense
And
Trust Your Instincts