“Moving Beyond LOCKDOWN”
Active Killer/Violent Intruder
Response Training
January 12, 2016
DISCLAIMER
• Be prepared to change the way you think about some things…
• Think outside the box….
- Think like a potential target, not like a faculty/staff member, administrator, etc.
• You need to:
– Understand that:
• Command, Control, and Convenience are not the first priority
– SURVIVAL, not ACCOUNTABILITY, has to be priority
This will be a frank discussion about survival,
some material may be graphic (my apologies up front) …
WHY WE’RE HERE
• To empower you to make decisions based on
real-time information to increase survivability.
• To enable you to make a DECISION. Making
good split second decisions could prevent you
from being injured and may save your life and
the lives of others.
THE THREAT
• In North America, how many students have been killed by a fire
while at school in the past fifty years?
THE THREAT
• In North America, how many students have been killed by a fire
while at school in the past fifty years?
• 0 casualties
– Dec 1st, 1958
• Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School in Chicago, Illinois
• 92 children & 3 Nuns were killed
THE THREAT
• In North America, how many students have been killed by a fire
while at school in the past fifty years?
• 0 casualties
– Dec 1st, 1958
• Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School in Chicago, Illinois
• 92 children & 3 Nuns were killed
• In North America, how many students have been killed by a
tornado while at school in the past fifty years?
THE THREAT
• In North America, how many students have been killed by a fire
while at school in the past fifty years?
• 0 casualties
– Dec 1st, 1958
• Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School in Chicago, Illinois
• 92 children & 3 Nuns were killed
• In North America, how many students have been killed by a
tornado while at school in the past fifty years?
• 34 casualties in 6 occurrences involving casualties
– April 21, 1967
• 13 were killed at Belvidere High School in Belvidere, Illinois
– March 1, 2007
• 8 were killed at Enterprise High School in Enterprise, Alabama
– May 20, 2013
• 7 were killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma
THE THREAT
• In North America, how many students have been
killed by a violent intruder event at school in the
past fifty years?
THE THREAT
• In North America, how many students have been
killed by a violent intruder event at school in the
past fifty years?
• 379 casualties in 230 shootings at a school
– August 1st, 1966
• 16 killed at University of Texas in Austin, TX
– April 20th, 1999
• 15 killed at Columbine High School in Littletown, CO
– April 16, 2007
• 33 killed at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA
– December 14, 2012
• 27 killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT
HISTORY
April 20, 1999
• Columbine High School
– 12 students and one teacher killed
– 24 other students were wounded
Alert
Lockdown
It was how they were trained but it
didn’t fit the situation
What has been the “worst” active shooter case
at a school in America, based on “body count”?
What has been the “worst” active shooter case
at a school in America, based on “body count”?
Virginia Tech
Every second counts!
One person was shot approximately every 10 second
An Active Shooter event lasts on average ~
4-8 minutes
Time for Law Enforcement to arrive on average ~
5-8 minutes
Virginia Tech had the fastest response time ever for an
active shooter event.
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
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Traditional lockdown has failed.
86% of the time, it takes an act of violence to stop violence!
School shootings are rarely impulsive, events are pre-planned.
Pre-incident indicators existed but were unreported.
There is no profile for an active killer – different ethnicities, rich,
poor, educated, uneducated, popular, loners, religious, atheist….
only exception is >90% of active killers are male.
The most common reason for a school massacre is revenge, along
with fame and recognition.
The deadliest hour of the day is the first hour. Other dangerous
times include when students are gathered in large numbers – think
cafeteria, assemblies, sporting events.
Incidents occur in a target rich environment where retribution is the
goal.
Violent Intruder events can happen anywhere!
– We can’t predict when or where, so we must prepare….
PREPARATION
• We need to ask ourselves “What if…”
questions
• Preparation, training, and practice are crucial
• They have a plan, so should you!
• Traditional response to a violent incident at a
school is LOCKDOWN.
– Is one tool in the toolbox –best practice?
• Would you stop, drop and roll in the middle of an
earthquake?
POTENTIAL VIOLENT BEHAVIOR INDICATORS
(From VT Panel)
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Violent fantasy content
Anger/Depression problems
Fascination with weapons
Boasting and practicing combat
proficiency
Loner
Suicide ideation
Homicidal ideation
Stalking
Non-compliance and disciplinary
problems
Imitation of other murders
Interest in previous shooting
situations
Victim/martyr self-concept
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Strangeness and aberrant behavior
Paranoia
Violence and cruelty
Inappropriate affect
Acting out
Police contact
Mental health history related to
dangerousness
Expressionless face
Unusual interest in
police/military/terrorism activities
and materials
Use of alcohol/drugs
Violence in
media/games/movies/music
If potential violent indicators exist, take action and watch for triggers.
(School suspension/expulsion, an arrest, a dispute, breakup with
boy/girlfriend, bullying incident, etc.)
How to Report
• Report to supervisor, Administration, Campus
Security, Student Life…someone!
• Student of Concern Report (anonymous)
– Concerns may include possible dangerousness to
self or others, mental health issues, alcohol and
drugs, relationship problems, etc.
• Concern may be regarding an employee, a student,
family members or friends, other members of the
community.
• Safety Notification on Campus Security/Public
Safety Website
ACTIVE KILLER MYTHS…
• That he/she doesn’t fit the profile of an Active Shooter…
• They just snapped-these crimes are planned well in
advance…
• No one knew – over 80% of active shooters told at least
one person…
• They never hurt or threatened anyone before…
• They are crazy – less than 10% of these shooters are
mentally ill…
• That it will not happen here- can happen anywhere…
• That police will respond in time to prevent carnage….
• And the last one is….
• That you can do nothing against an armed
intruder……
YES YOU CAN!
There are never any guarantees but here is a
simple plan to give you a fighting chance…
A.L.I.C.E.
Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate
Utilizing Infrastructure, Technology, and Human Action to
Increase Survival Chances
A.L.I.C.E. is not sequential steps, it is a set of general
recommendations which provides options for you and
your survival.
A.L.I.C.E. is common sense, just not common knowledge
This program has one primary focus: SURVIVAL of those
who find themselves under attack.
ALERT
The way you learn about the threat, and the way
you alert others
How will you be first alerted when a
Violent Intruder Event begins?
Where will you be?
What will you see? Hear?
RECEIVING AN ALERT
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You may hear screams
You may hear gun shots or loud noises
Someone may tell you
You may see the shooter or people running
You may hear about it by a telephone call,
text, e-mail, intercom, or some other form of
communication.
– E.R.I.S., BlackBoard Connect, Alertus
ALERTING OTHERS
• Dial 911 immediately, give specific details
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Brief Description
Date, Time, and Location
Physical Identifiers of Suspect(s)
Information of where people involved may have gone
Number or type of weapons involved
Stay on the line
• Tell others around you
• Suggest that they get to a safe place
• Provide information, don’t issue commands
– Information is the key to good decisions
– Information should flow in all directions
• Share what you will learn today with them and be ready to take
action
LOCKDOWN
• What does this word mean to you?
• What actions will you take in your classroom or work
area?
LOCKDOWN
• What does this word mean to you?
• What actions will you take in your classroom or work
area?
– Lock the door
– Turn off the lights
– Cover the windows
– Close blinds
– Barricade the doorway
– Silence cell phones
– Hide in the corner quietly
• Lockdown only bases your survival on the inability of the
bad guys to get to you before the police so.
LOCKDOWN
• Excellent starting point, but consider your
location to that of the incident – evacuate if
it is safe to do so.
• A.L.I.C.E. supports an enhanced lockdown if
that is your safest option.
• LOCK THE DOOR (If possible)
– Remember though…
• It takes more time to lock the doors than it does to
break into them.
• Disable any door mechanisms (hydraulic
assists, etc.)
BARRICADE
The idea is to create a stronghold that nobody can breach…
BECOME A HARDER TARGET!
• Place tables, chairs, furniture or anything heavy against the
door opening.
• Cover windows if you can quickly.
• If door opens outward, use what you have to secure it.
• After barricading the door…. MOVE QUICKLY… Get to a
place away from the door, stay out of sight of any windows
& silence phones.
• Once Lockdown is in effect no one should be allowed
into a secure room under any circumstances. Only open
your locked door for uniformed police personnel.
BARRICADE
BARRICADE
WHAT’S NEXT?
• After barricading the door…. GET READY!
• Gather things you can use as weapons (books, backpacks, computers,
purses, keys, chairs, desk, scissors, fire extinguisher, anything else
• Find alternative exits
• HAVE A PLAN if..
– The aggressor is determined to come in your area.
– The aggressor starts shooting into the door.
– The aggressor climbs over the barricade items
• IS there an alternative way out?
• Don’t wait until he is in the room to get ready
• He has a plan, you should also
• You need to be ready to make a decision and take action quickly!
– Your actions should be based on your assessment of the situation
• HIDE
– If you believe entry will be hard and your safest option is to stay or if police are arriving
• EVACUATE
– Alternate door or windows available
• COUNTER the attack (more to come)
INFORM
Real time information gives you the ability to make decisions
based on current happenings for the event.
Real-time information should be provided by all means
possible.
Use this information to make decisions as to the best options
for survival.
Be flexible because the situation will be dynamic and fluid
Updated Information = Better Response
Updated Information will be provided as possible through
E.R.I.S., BlackBoard Connect, and Alertus
Now let’s think back to the 9-11 tragedy….
REAL TIME INFORMATION
What do American Airlines Flight 11, United
Airlines Flight 175 and American Airlines Flight 77
have in common?
REAL TIME INFORMATION
What do American Airlines Flight 11, United
Airlines Flight 175 and American Airlines Flight 77
have in common?
All were hijacked and crashed into intended
targets on September 11th, 2001.
United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in
Pennsylvania, what changed for Flight 93?
REAL TIME INFORMATION
What do American Airlines Flight 11, United
Airlines Flight 175 and American Airlines Flight 77
have in common?
All were hijacked and crashed into intended
targets on September 11th, 2001.
United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in
Pennsylvania, what changed for Flight 93?
Information
COUNTER
• REMEMBER:
– You are not required to do ANYTHING.
– You SHOULD NOT leave a safe place to go and
take matters into your own hands. Leave that
job to the police.
– You should ONLY consider the COUNTER
suggestion if you are in immediate danger and
have no other option. Lockdown or Evacuate are
always better options if available.
COUNTER
Are you thinking to yourself…
• Do you mean you want me to throw things at a person with a
gun?
• What if I am not an intended target?
• Maybe they just want hostages!?
• Violent Intruder Goals
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Notoriety
Low Resistance
Wants Control
Body Count
COUNTER
• If you are unable to escape and are in a secure-for-now location
what will you do if the intruder is able to enter?
– It’s decision time:
• EVACUATE, or
• COUNTER the attack only as the last resort
• REMEMBER, there are strength in numbers.
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Keep away and/or create distance from the intruder if at all possible
Have a plan and act with physical aggression
Communicate with others in your area
Improvise weapons and commit to your actions!
Distraction/Disruption techniques
– O.O.D.A. Loop
• Swarm technique
– Attack
We want to be hard targets, not sheep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoVjGuSzw0A&feature=youtu.be
HARD TARGETS
Who gives these intruders the advantage?
We Do!
Static Targets offer little to NO resistance
Shooters
Police
Skill Level
Low
High
Police:
20%
Intruder:
Hit Rate
50%+
Engage in acts that makes the event dynamic & requires more skill:
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Noise
Movement
Distance
Distractions
O.O.D.A. LOOP
• OBSERVE
– See/Hear/Smell/Feel what is happening
• ORIENT
– Interpret what you have observed
• DECIDE
– Decide what to do
• ACT
– Do it
Every action requires this.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Disrupting the O.O.D.A. Loop may not be enough
You may have to take back control
You have to COMMIT to the following actions
Create Chaos
Shout, Yell, Scream
Throw Things
Move, Move, Move
Create Barriers
Divert Attention
ATTACK!!!!!!!!
ATTACK OPTION
You Can Do This –You Must Do This
Remember –he wants to kill as many
as possible and will shoot everyone
unless you stop him!
• Act without hesitation – COMMIT to your actions
– You have what it takes to survive
• Act as a team –one unit –one purpose
• Do whatever necessary to live – to SURVIVE
ATTACK OPTION
If the intruder is in your room and there is no escape
 Yell GUN
 Throw items at head
 Charge/Swarm
 Grab weapon
 Take down
 Hold for police
SHOOTER RESTRAINED
Maintain control of intruder until police arrive
 Do not let him up –
 Lay on extremities
 Lay on core
 Control head & neck
 Call 911 and advise
 Provide first aid to the injured
 Move the weapon away from the intruder and secure it safely…
 Do not pick up the weapon… Unless possibly…
MULTIPLE INTRUDERS
Only 2% of Violent Intruder events have been by more than one person.
EVACUATE
• The goal of evacuation during a violent intruder situation is to
minimize the number of potential victims in the crisis zone.
• Those who are able should leave the area based on the information
they have and the ability to do so as safely as possible.
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Evacuate whether others agree to or not.
Leave your belongings behind
Help others when possible
Prevent others from entering the area.
• Remain aware of your surroundings.
• There is no guarantee the police will reach you before the suspect
does, so put distance between yourself and the bad guy.
EVACUATION
• Window Escape Option:
– Open or break window
• How will you break out a window?
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What will you use?
Where will you hit the window?
– Evaluate the risk
• Will the fall kill or severely injure you?
– Surface / concrete / grass /
shrubs
– Hang from the ledge to limit fall
– Use items to limit the fall; i.e.,
belts or clothing
USE CARS FOR COVER
NOT ESCAPE
When faced with Danger, You Must DO
Something.
"In a moment of decision, the best thing you can
do is the right thing. The next best thing is the
wrong thing. The worst thing you can do is
nothing.”
Theodore Roosevelt
LAW ENFORCEMENT
What to expect…
Do Not….
 Entry may be dynamic or silent
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 May point guns at you
 May yell at you
 May whisper to you
 May tell you to lie on floor
 May tell you to run
 May handcuff you
 May ask you questions
Run at officers
Point or have items in your hands
Yell at officers
Do ANYTHING that could be reasonably
perceived as a threat
Do
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Show them empty hands
Follow instructions quickly
Answer their questions
Tell them where the intruder is
Tell them where the weapon is
WHEN IT HAPPENS…
• “In a moment of decision,
the best thing you can do is
the right thing. The next
best thing is the wrong
thing. The worst thing you
can do is nothing.” –
Theodore Roosevelt
QUESTIONS