Journal Article Review: Active Shooter
Name
Helms School of Government, Liberty University
Author Note
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I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Name.
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Abstract
Dealing with an active shooter is a large undertaking for a company; however, it is possible. We can
begin to prepare ourselves by doing our own research about previous active shooter incidents and
learning from the outcomes. Lone wolf type incidents are most common and the individual may be
known by some of the people inside. The problem with active shooter incidents is we do not always know
when they will happen. This is why having a good plan in place is a way to mitigate an active shooter.
Local law enforcement can help immensely with resources and training programs for employees of a
company. These resources; utilized closely with law enforcement, may save lives and may even prevent
an active shooter incident altogether. Colleges are also prone to active shooter incidents as they are a soft
target. Make sure the institution is prepared for such an incident before and after you apply to ensure you
are going to a well-prepared institution to keep you protected.
Keywords: Active shooter, prepared, law enforcement
Active Shooter Incidents and Responses
Dealing with an active shooter is a large undertaking for a company; however, it is possible. We
can begin to prepare ourselves by doing our own research about previous active shooter incidents and
learning from the outcomes. Lone wolf type incidents are most common and the individual may be
known by some of the people inside. The problem with active shooter incidents is we do not always
know when they will happen. This is why having a good plan in place is a way to mitigate an active
shooter. Local law enforcement can help immensely with resources and training programs for employees
of a company. These resources; utilized closely with law enforcement, may save lives and may even
prevent an active shooter incident altogether. Colleges are also prone to active shooter incidents as they
are a soft target. Make sure the institution is prepared for such an incident before and after you apply to
ensure you are going to a well-prepared institution to keep you protected.
Mass Shooting Definitions, Statistics, and Emergency Preparedness
The FBI defines the term mass shootings and active shooter incidents as “an individual actively
engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area” (Glasofer & Laskowski-
Jones, 2019). There are many different definitions that are related to active shooters such as the
minimum casualty number starting at three, four, or more. Between 2000 and 2017 there were 250 active
shooter incidents in the United States. This may not seem like a lot in 17 years; however, it is staggering
when you include the 799 individuals killed and an additional 1,418 wounded. These include the two
deadliest active shooter incidents being the Pulse nightclub and the Harvest Music Festival. Furthermore,
if this has not yet grabbed your attention; the Tree Life Synagogue, in Pittsburgh, is close to home for
me; about a 40-minute drive, north, for me. This goes to show these types of incidents can happen
anywhere, at any time and we need to be prepared in the law enforcement field (Glasofer & Laskowski-
Jones, 2019).
To be prepared, we need to be qualified with not only out tactical response but with our medical
response as well. While these may relate to EMT personnel; we still need to have a good understanding
of how they operate so we can help or take charge as we are on the front line. Hospitals have a
framework for mass casualty incidents (MCI) including four phases: preparedness, response, recovery,
and mitigation. Preparedness is how well we are equipped with dealing with mass casualties and our
ability to help those casualties. The response is how well organized law enforcement is to eliminate the
threat first and then help the wounded. Recovery and Mitigation allow law enforcement and all other
agencies to work on the successful outcomes and apply them to our mistakes to be better prepared for the
next incident (Glasofer & Laskowski-Jones, 2019).
Lone Wolf Terrorism or Deranged Shooters
The most dangerous threat to the national security of the United States is lone wolf active shooters.
“The concept of an active shooter is important not only because it describes a relatively modern
phenomenon in America, but also because it places the perpetrator's intentions, not the number of kills, at
the core of the concept” (Capellan, 2015). Since the 1960s, mass shootings have been on the rise and 97
percent of the shooters have been male. Studies have shown that active shooters are usually a part of the
community the target such as a student, employee, or resident. Furthermore, these mass shootings end in
either suicide or suicide by cop and this is why we, as law enforcement professionals, need to constantly
train to deal with such a threat (Capellan, 2015).
Mass murders tend to be suicidal and most of them will take their own lives after the shootings.
Lone wolf type shooters will suffer from some type of mental illness and could be isolated and socially
awkward. Among this, lone wolves may have an extremist ideology against the government and may use
their actions in a mass shooting to draw a police response, which they know will happen, so they can take
their aggression out on local law enforcement. Both mass murders and lone wolf types tend to suffer from
problems at home, work, or family. This can be said with anyone due to the fact that we all have our
issues; however, these types of killers may have been holding their rage in for years and for them to let it
explode all at once (Capellan, 2015).
Some elements we need to remember while responding not only to active shooter incidents, but any
incident in law enforcement being; there may be more than one individual as the same or different
locations; a firearm may not be the only weapon and the offender may use other weapons such as knives,
blunt objects, or explosives. This is leading to an unprecedented amount of active shooter incidents in the
United States. Lone wolves and deranged shooters both contribute to the growing amount of active
shooter incidents in the United States and share similar personality profiles. They “tend to be white males
in their 30s, with rather dysfunctional adult lives. They tend to be single/divorced, unemployed, have low
levels of education, and suffer from mental illness” (Capellan, 2015).
Active Shooters on Campus
“Training students, faculty, and staff to respond according to guidelines developed by law
enforcement and emergency management personnel in the event of an active shooter provide the greatest
chances of survival” (Sikes, Barnes, & Casida, 2018). Before working as an officer for my current
employer, I was an officer for a State University. I was able to attend multiple, in- depth, training classes
and scenarios with local and state agencies for active shooter incidents. Moreover, I have military
experience which allowed me to bring my military training into law enforcement training to help
implement a training program for the faculty, students, and visitors at that State University. This program
not only allowed the police department to fine-tune our training, but it allowed the faculty and the students
to be better prepared if or when an active shooter came onto the campus.
“Between 2000 and 2016, the FBI reported a total of 48 active shooter events in educational settings,
including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges/universities or technical schools,
and school board meetings” (Sikes, Barnes, & Casida, 2018). Places of education should not have to
worry about their own safety when it comes to active shooter incidents; however, local law enforcement
may not always be there to protect them in the moment of need. This is why programs and training
should be put into place, and regularly trained upon, so the victims have a better chance of survival.
Hiding and staying quiet is usually what is taught at educational facilities. However, if the shooter finds
you, you need to know how to fight back to save yourself and others from being a casualty. Creating a
plan and training with that plan can help you survive; however, you need to adapt to your surroundings as
nothing may go as planned. Train for multiple scenarios in order to be better prepared (Sikes, Barnes, &
Casida, 2018).
“The Run, Hide, Fight model is federally endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security and
instructs individuals to “run if you can,” “hide if you must,” and “fight if you have to” (Huskey, &
Connell, 2020). This is a good method to teach people in the educational community; however, without
actually training different scenarios, you may not know how to make the correct decisions, especially
when emotions and adrenaline are running high. At the University I worked at, we followed the ALICE
guidelines which are alert, lockdown, inform, counter, and evacuate. We found these guidelines were
helpful to the students and faculty as most of the classrooms were equipped with panic buttons and if
not; phones to contact the police. This starts out with the alert guideline which, if possible, instructs
people to notify first responders.
After being alerted, you need to lock down the room, if possible, with anything at your disposal such
as desks and chairs; afterward, stay away from the doors and windows to hide. Once locked down, listen
for the shooter. If you hear the shooter on the other side of the school, you may have a chance to escape
while keeping in mind there may be another shooter nearby. If encountered, you need to counter the
attacks of the active shooter to stay alive. This means fighting back. If possible, while the shooter is
engaging or is being engaged, look for your opportunity to evacuate. There are more to these guidelines
which is why students and faculty need to be trained on a regular basis to grasp the concept to stay alive
(Huskey, & Connell, 2020).
“In light of increased scrutiny surrounding responses to school shootings, this study adds to the
understanding of student safety, campus preparedness, and proper security protocols from a student
perspective” (Huskey, & Connell, 2020). Some research is showing that preparing students for an active
shooter is actually increasing the students’ fear while decreasing the perceptions of school safety. I
disagree. I disagree because, without training for the students, they may not know how to act during an
active shooter response. During training, the students will work alongside their local law enforcement.
While doing this, they can ask any questions they have as well as learn how the police will respond
and what the police require from the students. The students, before training, may not know, the police
will ignore the wounded and dead, walking past them, until the threat is eliminated. The police will ask
questions, as they walk, by where the shooter is, what he has, etc. After the treat is eliminated, the police
will then tend to the wounded and dead and the students will know how to exit the school and follow
police commands such as keeping their hands up high. Without training for the students and police, we’re
really just winging it and hoping for the best (Huskey, & Connell, 2020).
Hospital Based Incidents
“Physicians have long played an important role in the prevention of active shooter incidents by
assuming the difficult task of assessing the potential for violence in patients and by reporting direct and
credible threats to law enforcement authorities” (Adashi, Gao, Cohen, 2015). Hospitals are known to save
lives. Unfortunately, hospitals are just prone to active shooting incidents just as the rest of us are.
Hospitals have started out with security; however, they found out that they need more. Armed security, in
hospitals, are now more commonplace and give these hospitals more of a sense of security that these
guards are trained well enough to protect them.
Physicians sometimes take the role or preventing active shooter incidents by assessing the potential
for violence in their patients. If a patient is deemed to show signs of wanting to harm others; local law
enforcement is called. Although, sometimes this is still not enough and Physicians and staff are going
towards applying for concealed weapons permits. Active shooter incidents take place fast. It takes a long
time for someone to call 911 and then for 911 to relay this information, accurately to the police.
Afterward, the police can then respond and, depending on where they are, may take some time. By this
time, the shooter may have killed multiple people. Allowing trained staff to carry concealed may prevent
the killing of one or more people (Adashi, Gao, Cohen, 2015). “In the 21st century, all health care
facilities require an active-shooter response plan. As part of such a plan, essential patient care areas
where life-sustaining treatment is provided must be identified” (Malina, 2018). This is absolutely true
which hospitals should follow and train on regularly. All doors should have electronic access which
security controls. Security may see the threat coming before the threat enters the facility, preventing
casualties. If the threat does enter the facility, all doors should have devices on the inside of the door so
staff can lock them in a hurry to prevent the active shooter from gaining access to that room. This is an
inexpensive solution to keep a threat out.
“Kits containing essential supplies for hemorrhage control, including tourniquets, gauze, and
gloves, should be located inside all these areas” (Malina, 2018). An active-shooter may wound a lot of
people. Having these supplies nearby, and in every room, may save lives. Not all rooms in a hospital will
have these supplies readily available and is an easy way to, again, save lives. God will always be on our
side and help us in a time of need; however, we need to be able to help our friends as well. Psalm 82:4
says “Rescue the weak and needs; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” Help your fellow brother
or sister out as God would want you to.
Complacency
With the number of active shooter incidents making the news around the world, you would think
everyone would be prepared enough to deal with or mitigate the incident. These incidents need to be
taken seriously as no one can always determine when or where they will occur. “Decisions are likely to
carry complex moral, legal, and personal implications as a single provider's actions may have
consequences for others” (Wands, 2016). Someone may say they are mentally and physically prepared;
however, they will never know until the time comes to defend themselves or others. Training and
preparation is a good way to know what you are capable of.
It is good for a company to have policies and plans to deal with an active shooter; however, if you do
not regularly practice these, you may not succeed. Even if your employer does not have a plan for their
employees, that does not mean you cannot have a plan for yourself. Remember where all of the
emergency exits are; keep a tool to secure your door, if you work in an office; and always be prepared to
fight. Save others if you can but remember you cannot save others if you cannot save yourself. Hebrews
6:10 says “God is unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have
helped his people and continue to help them.” Even if you do not make it alive from an active shooter
incident; God will always welcome you if you help protect another life.
Recovery
“After an active shooter event occurs, the short‐term recovery process starts right away, with the
primary objectives of restoring safety and alleviating the physical and emotional effects to those
involved” (Hauk, 2018). Restoring safety is the number one priority after an active shooter incident.
Emotions and adrenaline are running high and people need to be consoled. Medical and mental health
treatments such as counseling need to be set up and utilized as people will see some traumatic incidents.
“After law enforcement clears the scene of the event, the long‐term recovery process begins, with the
primary objectives of helping staff members return to their normal daily personal and professional
activities and the organization to its usual processes” (Hauk, 2018).
This step allows assistance programs to step in and provide a long- term solution to aid with the
recovery process. The company where the active shooter incident occurred may need to reopen again, in
time. This can be traumatic for the employees who may feel unsafe, at first and apprehensive to go back
to work. The company will also need to lookout for fake charities claiming to be collecting money for
victims. There is a lot that goes into the recovery process and it will never be easy. Just remember, John
3:16 says “For God loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Conclusion
Evil will always be around us and it is our choice to fight it with the help of Him. Being prepared
and having a plan for an active shooter incident can help fight that evil and should be mandatory at all
schools and medical facilities. Know your way around the facility; know the back exits; having internal
locks prepared to keep the shooter out. These are some of the options we can use to prevent from being a
statistic. Get together with your local law enforcement agency and ask if they can assist you with putting
together an active shooter plan. Local law enforcement may have the resources available and may
already have a plan put into place when something goes wrong (Masters et al, 2017). Thessalonians 3:3
says “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
Unfortunately, armed individuals are not always around when an active shooter situation takes
place, therefore it is imperative to have lockdown procedures and a proactively safe environment.
Luckily, officers are constantly working to improve their training and techniques that involve crises,
specifically active shooter incidents. Research has shown that by having armed personnel in our school
systems, safer buildings and consistent training for both civilians and officers, we, as a society can help
prevent, de-escalate and contain active shooter incidents from happening. These tactics are how we
effectively diffuse active shooter situations and keep society safe.
Biblical Worldview
Active shooters are, in my opinion, the devil. The devil brings darkness, hatred, and pain, just like
an active shooter. I think when a person is in crisis, the first thing they go to is the bible; asking God for
help and for ultimately, safety. Scripture teaches us to trust in the Lord, and that he is close with those
who are brokenhearted; Psalm 34:18 (ESV): “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those
who are crushed in spirit.”. Additionally, Psalm 28:7 (ESV). The Lord is my strength and my shield; in
him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him”. When
people have the Lord on their side, nothing is impossible no matter what.
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