Palm Beach Atlantic University Active Shooter Awareness Training Shots Fired on Campus Training Objectives
History of School Shootings
What is an Active Shooter
List measures that can be employed to reduce the effectiveness of an active shooter and increase your chances of survival
Describe actions that can be expected from responding law enforcement officers
Safety tips History of School Shootings
From 1991 to the shooting at Virginia Tech in April 2007, there were10 shootings on or near campuses in the United States. Since the Virginia Tech shooting up to the December 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school there have been 61. According to FBI statistics, between 2000 and 2013 there were 160 active shooter incidents (11.4 annual average) Of the 39 incidents at an educational environment, 27 were in schools and 12 were at a college or university.
69% of the incidents ended in 5 minutes or less.
60% ended before the police arrived.
56% ended on the shooter’s initiative (suicide, stopped shooting, fled the scene.)
28% of the incidents involved law enforcement and the shooter exchanging gunfire. In 2015
At least 55 School Shootings 23 at Colleges and Universities 4 occurred in October alone Umpqua Community College (Oct 1) Texas Southern University (Oct 9) Northern Arizona University (Oct 9) Tennessee State University (Oct 23) 16 at High Schools 3 at Middle Schools 10 at Elementary Schools 2 at Pre-schools 1 on a school bus The shootings left 32 people dead and 54 injured Active Shooter
Definition –
An armed person who is using deadly physical force on other persons and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims.
Active shooters have caused a paradigm shift in law enforcement training and tactics, especially as these persons do not necessarily expect to escape or even survive these situations (Columbine, 1999)
Casualties can be mitigated with community preparedness training and response during the actual event Statistics
• 27% of attackers exhibited interest in violent movies • 37% of attackers exhibited interest in violence in their own writings, poems, essays and journal entries • 59% of attacks occurred during the school day • 63% of attackers had a known history of weapon use • 68% acquired the weapon used from their own home or relative • 93% of attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the attack that caused others to be concerned • 95% of attackers were current students • Odds are one in 1 million that a student will die at school as a result of a violent act Motives
• 24% motivated by desire for attention or recognition • 27% motivated by suicide or desperation • 34% motivated by attempt to solve a problem • 54% had multiple motives • 61% motivated by revenge • 75% felt bullied/persecuted or threatened by others Active Shooter Mentality
Desire is to kill and seriously injure without concern for their safety or threat of capture.
Normally has intended victims and will search them out
Accepts targets of opportunity while searching for or after finding intended victims
Will continue to move throughout building/area until stopped by law enforcement, suicide, or other intervention. The Faces of Evil
Adam Lanza -Sandy Hook ES; Seung-Hui Cho -Virginia Tech; Erik Harris & Dylan Dec 2012; 26 dead, 2 wounded April 2007; 32 dead, 17 (Teacher’s son) Klebold - Columbine HS; wounded (Student – Senior 13 dead, 21 wounded -– English Major) April 1999 (Students)
Amy Bishop – University of Alabama in Huntsville; Chris Mercer - Umpqua February 2010; 3 dead, 3 Myron May -FSU; November Community College; wounded (Neurobiology 2014; 3 wounded (Attorney October 2015; 9 dead, 9 Professor) & FSU Alumni) wounded (Former Student) Course of Action RUN
Get Out (Run)
. Move quickly; don’t wait for others to validate your decision
. Leave belongings behind
. Survival chances increase if you are not where shooter is or go where he can’t see you
Call Out
. Inform authorities
. Call 9-1-1 and tell them the name of shooter (if known), shooter description, location, number and type of weapons Course of Action HIDE
Hide Out
. 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 Course of Action
Keep Out
. Find a room that can be locked with objects to hide behind
. Blockade door with heavy furniture
. Turn out lights; become totally silent
. Turn off noise-producing devices
. Call 9-1-1 (If you can do so without alerting the shooter) Course of Action
Spread Out
. 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 Course of Action FIGHT
Take Out (LAST RESORT)
. Assume shooter’s intentions are lethal
. Shooter will succeed in shooting 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
. You must be prepared to do whatever it takes to neutralize the threat
Throw things, yell, use improvised weapons Only you can draw the line on what you will or will not do to preserve your life or the lives of others If shooting starts, you need to make your own choice; stay still and hope they don’t shoot you, run for an exit zig zagging, or attack the shooter This is not a recommendation to fight, but rather a choice to fight when there are no other options Arm Yourself with a Survival Mindset
Arm Yourself with a Survival Mindset Contacting Emergency Personnel
Emergency 911 When you can safely do it, call police first – We need them QUICKLY PBA Dispatch (561) 803-2500 What to Report Your specific location Number of people at your specific location Injuries Assailant information -location, number of assailants, race, gender, clothing color and style, physical features, type of weapons (rifles, handguns), backpack, have you heard any explosions separate from gunshots? Do you recognize the shooter? What is his/her name? PBA Security Role
If an incident occurs on campus, a quick response from law enforcement is vital. PBA security will assist staff and students with seeking shelter.
Law Enforcement officers will respond, and upon their arrival will take charge of the situation. You can expect to see officers from a variety of agencies such as the West Palm Beach PD, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, FDLE, FBI, etc.
Their primary objective will be to confront the suspect(s) and neutralize the threat Police Response
Law enforcement's goal is to locate, contain, and stop the shooter The shooter will probably not flee when law enforcement enters the building, instead the shooter will have new target to shoot at Everyone in the building will be considered a suspect When the team of officers makes contact with you, do not run towards them Keep your hands visible and do exactly what they tell you to Officers will engage with force, anyone that is armed or moves on them in what can be perceived an aggressive manner If you are near the suspects when officers make entry, the best thing to do is drop as low as you can and stay there, with your hands visible until the team commands you to get up. Police Response (cont.)
Injured Persons Initial responding officers will not treat the injured or begin evacuation until the threat is neutralized You will need to explain this to others in an attempt to calm them Once the shooter is contained, officers will begin treatment and evacuation Evacuation Safety corridors will be established. This may be time consuming Remain in secure areas until instructed otherwise You may be searched. Leave your personal belongings You will be escorted out of the building by law enforcement personnel Safety Tips
Whether you are coming to class or working on campus, take ownership of making sure your location is safe Be aware of your surroundings (e.g. location of exits, doorways, etc…) Report suspicious persons to PBA Security immediately Program PBA security dispatch (561) 803-2500 in your cell phone (911 calls from cell phones go to WPBPD Dispatch) Be aware of the blue campus emergency phones Awareness, Preparation, Rehearsal RUN, HIDE, FIGHT! Closing Thoughts
We can not predict the origin of the next threat Assailants in some recent incidents across the country were not students or employees There are no obvious specific targets and the victims were unaware they were targets, until attacked Discussion and Questions Palm Beach Atlantic University Department of Safety and Security
(561) 803-2500