Active Shooter

1. Active Shooter Carl Rowan, Jr. Director of Special Services

2. Survival mindset Can sometimes prevent a situation from becoming violent Conditions/stressors which lead to violence Personality conflict (co-workers or supervisor/worker) Termination or disciplinary action Drug or alcohol use on the job Look for WV Signs

3. Conditions/stressors which lead to violence (cont’d) Grudge over a real or imagined grievance Breakup of a marriage or relationship Other family conflicts Financial or legal problems Mental health issues Behaviors of Concern

4. There are Many Myths About Active Shooters… Although 19 year old Robert Hawkins penned a suicide note stating that he “just snapped” prior to killing 8 innocent people in an Omaha mall in 2007, the reality is that he had been ward of the state and spent four years in a series of treatment centers, group homes and foster care after threatening to kill his stepmother in 2002. “Just snapped...” “Out of the blue...” “Just leave it alone, it will resolve itself...” “I can’t do anything to stop it...” “It could never happen here...”

5. 154 active shooter events in the United States between 2002 and 2012 • 4 percent of active shooters remain unidentified • The most common identified motivations were : • workplace retaliation: 21 percent • domestic disputes: 14 percent • academic retaliation (by a current or former student): 7 percent • 96 percent of shooters were male • 96 percent of the time the shooter acted alone What Do We Know About Active Shooters?

6. Most commonly occurred in a workplace environment (37 percent) or academic setting (17 percent) • 51 percent of these events end with the shooter’s death • Very few active shooters had previous arrests for violent crimes What Do We Know About Active Shooters?

7. Consequences are potentially catastrophic Proper mindset and tools to react with purpose Incidents over quickly (10-15 minutes) First line of defense Action taken by personnel on-site most effective way to stop the killing Angry amateurs Terrorists & Lone Wolves Mentally Ill Workplace Violence Is a Real Concern

8. Perspective: It’s Over Quick July 2012: Aurora, Co. James Holmes 12 Dead/58 Wounded 14 minutes April 2007: Virginia Tech Sueng-Hui Cho 33 Dead/17 Wounded 12 minutes Average police response: 12 minutes

9. Trained vs. Untrained As active shooter situations progress, studies have shown that there is a significant difference in how trained and untrained individuals react. TRAINED Startle and Fear Feel Anxious Recall what they have learned Prepare to act as rehearsed Commit to action UNTRAINED Startle and Fear Panic Fall into disbelief Lost in denial Descend into helplessness

10. Life-Threatening Risk Any action taken, or not taken, during an active-shooter incident may involve life-threatening risk Have a plan in advance! Navy Yard: Is there a place to hide? Cubicle farms? Survival Mindset There is no single right or wrong decision. Just be decisive. (Luby’s Restaurant) What is A Survival Mindset?

11. Get Out Move quickly; don’t wait for others to validate your decision Leave belongings behind Survival chances increase if not where shooter is or to go where he can’t see you If you can still see your building, you are too close. Call Out Inform authorities Call 9-1-1 and tell them name of shooter (if known), shooter description, location, number and type of weapons Say “Active Shooter” Don’t pull the fire alarm! More attacks are possible. Courses of Action – Get Out / Call Out

12. May not be able to get out Shooter between you and the only exit Would have to enter area where shooter is positioned Hiding place Well hidden and well protected Avoid places that might trap you or restrict movement Cover vs. concealment Courses of Action – Hide Out

13. Find a room that can be locked with objects to hide behind Blockade door with heavy furniture. Open only for law enforcement! Navy Yard: Too many access controlled rooms can hinder shelter-in-place. Turn out lights; become totally silent Turn off noise-producing devices Call 9-1-1 (If you can do so without alerting the shooter) Courses of Action – Keep Out

14. If two or more of you, DO NOT huddle together Gives you options and makes it harder for the shooter Quietly develop a plan of action in the event the shooter enters Remain calm Can have a contagious effect on others Keeps others focused on survival 3-5 minutes may be all you need Courses of Action – Spread Out

15. Assume shooter’s intentions are lethal Shooter will succeed in killing all those with whom he comes in contact, UNLESS you stop him Develop a survival mindset that you have “what it takes” to survive when your life is on the line Courses of Action – Take Out

16. You must be prepared to do whatever it takes to neutralize the threat Throw things, yell, use improvised weapons If two or more of you, make a plan to overcome the shooter Do the best that you can—choose to survive You may be sheltered in place for hours. Navy Yard: You may hear continuous gun fire. Could be LE vs shooter or LE breaching doors with shotguns. What Could You Do in THIS Room??? Courses of Action – take Out

17. As events unfold, you must continue to Figure Out using your personal assessment process Adjust your actions accordingly No two active shooter incidents are the same Never quit Keep your wits about you. Keep digging. Don’t give up on your survival efforts: Baker & McKenzie Do what ever it takes to survive. YOU CAN AND WILL SURVIVE! Constantly Re-Evaluate

18. If your building was the scene of such an event, you may be unable to re-enter it for three or four days. Does your company have a plan for continuing operations during that period? • As an individual, if you fled the building without your wallet, purse, and keys, have you given a residence key to a neighbor so that you don’t have to break into your home? • Do you have photo copies of your driver’s license at home that you can carry until you recover your wallet? • Do you have an emergency credit card at home that you can use until you can recover your purse? It can be an unnerving feeling to suddenly be out in the world without identification or an ATM card. • Do you have a friend who can pick up your kids at school and take care of them if you are in lockdown with no way of getting home? Business and Individual Continuity

19. Security Equipment • 1) Wedge-it Door Stop • http://www.wedgeit.com/photos_in_use.htm • Nitecore MT 40 : This was the full-size flashlight that I showed at the training class. It is available on Amazon.com for between $60-70. • Two smaller flashlights that are purse/pocket size are: • Nitecore MT2C: This is slightly larger than the Streamlight model listed below.It can be found on Amazon for $40-45. Otherwise, go to www.opticsplanet.com • Streamlight PT 2L: This was the small light that I displayed during the training session. It puts out 180 lumens (for comparison, a regular bulb flashlight only puts out approximately 50 lumens) and has high, low, and strobe settings. At www.lapolicegear.com it can be purchased for $50.99.

20. Comments or Questions