1

Active Shooter Awareness

Presented by: Safety Counselling, Inc.

3207 Matthew Ave NE

Albuquerque, NM 87107

505-881-1112 / 800-640-0724

www.safetycounselling.com

2

Topics of Discussion• What is an Active Shooter• Types of Active Shooters• Historical examples• How to prepare • What to do when faced with• Law Enforcement response• Dispatch’s role• EMS response• Techniques to reduce an

escalating encounters and tips to avoid them

• PTSD,CISD, and the EAP

3

Part One: The Basics About Active

Shooters

4

Active Shooter Definition

Active Shooter executes a random or systematic shooting spree

The objective is mass murder rather than other criminal intent

Difficult time for many people in these tough times

5

The Active Shooter’s Intent

Views the attack as attempting to correct a perceived wrong

Usually has a “hit” list and will search victims out

The Shooter often takes out targets of opportunity on the way

6

An Active Shooter Expects To Die• Not concerned with

dying so has nothing to lose

• Moves throughout a building or area until either – stopped by police– commits suicide

• self• suicide by cop

– stopped by others

7

Types of Active Shooters This type of WPV can impact any

industry or business  Increased media coverage on a

long term problem Examples of Active Shooters

have included angry customerpatient’s family membermentally unstable individualdisgruntled employeedomestic violence spill overshooting(s) in the course of a

robbery, especially a robbery gone bad but this is not our emphasis

8

Lt. Dan Marcou’s5 Phases of the Active Shooter

• Fantasy stage

• Planning stage

• Preparation stage

• Approach stage

• Implementation

9

Hunters versus Howlers

• Howlers make overt threats, draw attention, frighten others intentionally

• Hunters develop a hidden plan, acquire the tools to harm others, work in stealth, and attack with little or no warning

• Organizations are often responsive to a howler and either unaware or overly-rationalizing for a hunter

• Calhoun and Weston’s theory “Howlers don’t hunt and Hunters don’t howl. When Howlers start to hunt, they are no longer Howlers.”

10

11

Charles Whitman commits Texas Tower Massacre in 1966

Initially killed mother and Initially killed mother and wifewife

Killed 15 people / wounded Killed 15 people / wounded 31 around tower 31 around tower

Passersby armed Passersby armed themselves to intervenethemselves to intervene

Killed by 2 police officersKilled by 2 police officers Autopsy showed brain Autopsy showed brain

tumor and he knew tumor and he knew something was wrongsomething was wrong

12

James Hubberty commits Calif. McDonald’s Massacre July 1984

• 41 yr. old laid off 1 week 41 yr. old laid off 1 week before murdersbefore murders

• Killed 21 & wounded 19Killed 21 & wounded 19• Multiple weapons from a 9mm Multiple weapons from a 9mm

semi-auto uzisemi-auto uzi• Killed by Sniper from SWATKilled by Sniper from SWAT• Said he had killed 1,000s in Said he had killed 1,000s in

Viet Nam but never servedViet Nam but never served

San Ysidro CaliforniaSan Ysidro CaliforniaMcDonald’s Restaurant

McDonald’s RestaurantJuly 18, 1984July 18, 1984

James HubertyJames Huberty21- persons killed

21- persons killed

13

Alb. Hollywood Videos Murders

• Shane Harrison aged 28 and accomplice Esther Beckley

• Occurred March ’96

• Armed robbery and kidnapping

• Killed 5, 2 after being abducted (3 were employees)

14

Larry Phillips/Emil Matasareanu Larry Phillips/Emil Matasareanu N. Hollywood Bank Robbery 2/27/97N. Hollywood Bank Robbery 2/27/97• Failed robbery that Failed robbery that

changed what law changed what law enforcement standardly enforcement standardly packs for heatpacks for heat

• Wounded 13: 9 PD & 4 Wounded 13: 9 PD & 4 bystandersbystanders

• Both suspects killed by Both suspects killed by SWAT after 44 minute SWAT after 44 minute shoot out on the streetshoot out on the street

• Shooters had body armour Shooters had body armour • Armed with AK-47sArmed with AK-47s

15

Columbine High School, Littleton Co. on April 20,1999

• 2 shooters: Harris and Klebold2 shooters: Harris and Klebold • Vendetta: 2 angry teenagers killed Vendetta: 2 angry teenagers killed

as many students as possible as many students as possible after being bullied for years after being bullied for years

• Killed 13 & Wounded 21Killed 13 & Wounded 21

• Suspects committed suicideSuspects committed suicide

• Used guns, rifles, bombsUsed guns, rifles, bombs

• Changed the way law Changed the way law enforcement respondsenforcement responds

16

Ronald Taylor:Wilkinsburg, Pa. 2000

• Hate Crime: All victims were white

• March 1, 2000

• Ist killed carpenter who repaired door, then onto McDonalds & then Burger King

• 3 killed, 3 wounded

• Surrendered

17

Cho Seung-Hui commits Virginia Cho Seung-Hui commits Virginia Tech Massacre on 4-16-2007Tech Massacre on 4-16-2007

History of mental illnessHistory of mental illnessPosted pictures before & Posted pictures before &

mailed info. to NBC duringmailed info. to NBC during 32 Dead, 23 Wounded32 Dead, 23 Wounded Weapons: Glock 19, Walther Weapons: Glock 19, Walther

P22P22 Committed suicide at sceneCommitted suicide at scene Rationale:

savior oppressed & rejected Romantic dispute? Teased about speech disorderTeased about speech disorder

18

Von Maur Department Store, Dec. 2007

• Robert Hawkins - 19

• Omaha, Ne.

• Takes others out to be famous at his death after being fired

• 9 killed, 5 injured

• Death by suicide after murders

19

3 Murdered in City Hall Council Meeting in Kirkwood, Mo. Feb. 2008• Charles Lee "Cookie“ (52) Thornton Charles Lee "Cookie“ (52) Thornton

had disrupted/arrested at 2 other had disrupted/arrested at 2 other council meetingscouncil meetings

• Killed 6: 2 police officers, public Killed 6: 2 police officers, public works director & 2 council members, works director & 2 council members, the mayor (intended victim) died the mayor (intended victim) died later as result of injurieslater as result of injuries

• Wounded 1 reporter & shot at city Wounded 1 reporter & shot at city attorneyattorney

• Suicide by copSuicide by cop• 30 citizens were at the meeting 30 citizens were at the meeting

20

Denny’s Robbery Takeover Albuquerque 6-21-2009

• Pablo Ortiz (32 top ) Marvin Lopez (22, middle) Francisco Melgar (bottom) ,

• Restaurant robbery on Sat. 6/09 @ 9:30AM breakfast-rush

• Teenage female employee was killed

• Automatic Weapons w• Intervention: 2 arrested initially

& other 2 apprehended

21

Binghamton, N.Y.: American Civic Assoc. by Jiverly Wong at 10:30 AM on Aug.’09

• 13 or victims killed & 4 wounded• Victims from China, Haiti,

Pakistan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Iraq, Brazil, US

• Used 2 automatic pistols and wore body armor

• Shooter pinned his vehicle against back door to block escape

• Suspect shouted that he hated America

22

A.S. Major Nidal Malik Hasan: Fort Hood A.S. Major Nidal Malik Hasan: Fort Hood Texas on Nov. 2009Texas on Nov. 2009

• Palistinian born 39-year-old of American military parents

• U.S. Army psychiatrist• Description by fellow workers:

“paranoid, belligerent”• Terrorist? or upset at

scheduled be deployed to Afghanistan?

• Killed 13, Wounded 30• Arrested and imprisoned

until trial in March 2012

23

Amy Bishop Anderson at University of Amy Bishop Anderson at University of Alabama, Huntsville on February 2010Alabama, Huntsville on February 2010

• A.S.: Amy Bishop (Harvard trained A.S.: Amy Bishop (Harvard trained Professor was academic star)Professor was academic star)

Involved in 3 previous police Involved in 3 previous police investigations:investigations: Acquitted of brother’s murderAcquitted of brother’s murderPipe bomb Pipe bomb Shoving another customerShoving another customer

Police arrested her on the scenePolice arrested her on the scene Vendetta: Denied tenure Vendetta: Denied tenure 3 killed, 3 wounded3 killed, 3 wounded

24

Police Headquarters in Municipal Bldg. April 2010

• 29-year-old Patrick Gray Sharp was only casualty. No others injured.

• McKinney, Texas• Drove truck loaded with

ammo and bomb-making materials into the parking lot, set truck on fire

• Fired off more than 100 rounds at police

• Suicide by cop

25

A.S. Robert Reza: Emcore Murders in A.S. Robert Reza: Emcore Murders in Albuquerque on July 2010 at 10AMAlbuquerque on July 2010 at 10AM

Vendetta: child custody battleTold nephew device

implanted in his head by co. Shot 25 bullets reloading once 2 killed & 4 wounded Police arrived from Alb.along

with surrounding sherrifs/PDs Shooter committed suicide on

site

26

University Library Violence 2010

• Gunman opens fire in library in Austin Texas, Sept. 2010

• No one injured

• Shot and killed himself onsite

27

Jerad Loughner shoots Congress Jerad Loughner shoots Congress Woman Gabriel Giffords on Jan. 2011Woman Gabriel Giffords on Jan. 2011

• A.S.: Jerad Loughner • Safeway,Phoenix, Ariz. at

Town Hall Meeting • Vendetta: Gifford is

Jewish and he may have been a member of an anti-semetic group: AmRen

• 6 killed & 19 wounded• Loughner was overcome

by crowd and arrested• Bystander nearly shot one

of good samaritans who overcame him

28

A.S. Cesar Dominguez-Garcia at at UNM Hospital on Feb. 2011UNM Hospital on Feb. 2011

Albuququerque, N.M. Vendetta: Girlfriend’s child was

admitted to hospital.Suspect arrived, became

angry and began striking girlfriend.

Family intervened, suspect brandished gun and

fired one round Police arrested

29

Senior Center Shooting in Suisan City, California July 2011

• 55-year-old Bernardo Ararao

• Rode bike to Center, dressed in camouflage

• Showed woman at the center gun & said he was "going on assignment"

• 911 called & repeatedly ordered to drop his gun

• He refused/shot by police

30

Construction Site Killing 2010

• Centreville, Alabama October 2010

• Firing over stolen copper

• Vendetta: Accusing electrician was continuing work on the site when fired employee shot and killed him

31

Construction Site Killing 2011

• Miami

• Two employees showing off their weapons on a break at one worker’s truck .

• Gun accidentally went off killing other worker during exchange.

32

There Are All Types of Scenarios

• Often happened in the AM • Most usually is the result

of a robbery but that is not our focus in this class

• Stay alert to surroundings and situations all the time

• Be mentally prepared for different violent scenarios– armed individuals/bombs– chemical, radiation, and biological

threats– verbal or written threats

33

34

When You Call 911 Dispatch

• The phone may not ring right away.

• Most important piece of information

• Call back number • Dispatch does not go

to the scene.

35

Information That Dispatch Gets When You Call 911

Landline Name AddressLocation address

Wireless Phone numberCell phone carrierLocation of caller

City Hall/ PBX lines

36

Dispatch’s Role

• Job is to preserve life and facilitate safety

• Multiple callers • Each caller is a new

witness• May disconnect you

due to call volume • Will ask you the big 6:

(Where/What/When/Who/How/Why)

37

Dispatcher Will Ask: Where

Location within a location Office number, room,

building Hazards for those present

and for responders Sounds

(gun shots/explosions)ScreamsInjured Other dangers in/around

location Safest approach

38

Dispatcher Will Ask: What and When

What is occurring? Are you hearing it or seeing it?

First hand knowledge Just hearing chaos

Is it just starting, in progress or over Information may save lives/minimize

causalities What you ADD is helpfulAvoid repeating

39

Dispatcher Will Ask: Who, How, & Why

Who is involved? Number of suspectsStill presentKnow or recognize the AS

Describe what they look like Physical features Clothing body armor

Weapons / explosives Why is this happening?

40

A.S. Status vs Victim Status

Dispatch will ask about the shooter before asking for information regarding those injured How many are

injured?Types of injuries?

Dispatch can provide steps for treatment

41

Until Law Enforcement Arrives

• If you cannot speak to 911 dispatcher, just leave the line open for the dispatcher to listen in.

• They are trained to do this

42

EMCORE 911 Tape

43

44

Law Enforcement Intelligence From Dispatch On The Way To Site

Suspect(s) ActionsLocationDescriptionWeapons

Victim injuries and location

Designate site representative to give officers intelligence

45

Arrival of Law Enforcement

• Average response time for police to high priority calls in your area

• Safest place to stay is inside secure room

• The shooter will probably not flee when police arrive

• The shooters goal is to kill and injure, not negotiate or flee

46

Law Enforcement’s Modus Operandi

Most likely by a variety of officersIdentified in some way

generally. Could be officer already on

site AS response is different

5 qualified officers enter immediately as a group

Armed with a variety of weapons

Won’t be aiding victims Designate a site representative

47

When Victims See Police Pass Through If you are locked in a secure

room, stay therePolice will be shouting

commandsEveryone is a suspectMay force people to ground Listen and follow instructions

Do not approach, stop or speak to or hold onto officer(s)

Avoid screaming or yelling Point in direction of shooter

48

When You See Police (cont.) Hands

Immediately raise handsKeep your hands visible Drop anything in your

handsDo not move injured victims Officers attempting to

apprehend the shooter will not stop to help injured victims

49

Part 5:

50

Delayed Medical Entry with Active Shooter Scenes

Fire/EMS personnel will respond when dispatched

Entry by medics will be delayed until police are in control of area and shooter is disarmed

Be prepared to do trauma care until they enter

51

Victim Status Cards

OkayMinor InjuriesLife threatening

InjuriesExtra or Missing

Victim

52

Triage of Victims Sorting

Who is most in need & savable

Coach injured to self-helpAdminister to themHave them administer to

others when injury is minor

Get assistance from others who can helpShow helpers howBe a coach

53

Protect Yourself Have a basic plan Don’t attempt to render first aid if

unsafe to do soDon’t show yourself to shooterSurvey the sceneKnow where the first aid kit,

AED and extinguishers are Blood borne pathogens

Potentially infectious materials Take universal precautionsWear PPEClean-up procedures

54

Victim Treatment

Minor Injuries: minimal treatment or self help with instruction

Life threatening InjuriesMost serious injury dealt with firstExamples: severe bleeding, not

breathing, broken limbs, heart attack, seizure, asthma attack, shock

Dead or not-savable injuries

55

Stop Bleeding Capillary bleeds only oozeVenous

Flows steadily Thick dressing / pressure

Arterial Squirts under pressure Thick dressing / elevate /

pressureHave helper perform once under

control if there are other victims

56

Tourniquet only if Bleeding To Death

Controversial & only as last

resort as potentially dangerous For arterial bleeding &

extremities Use a belt, strap, or other 1”

wide material 2” above Tighten until bleeding stops Never loosen Note time applied Save amputation

57

Victim Is Not Breathing

CPR = CAB 15 Compressions

Airway: open 2 Breaths

Continue15-2 Not recommended in

multi victim scene unless multiple trained first aiders

58

Broken Limbs

• Splint in position presented

• Use padding• If it is the forearm

then support hand • If it is the thigh or hip

do not move them• Do not draw attention

to a mistake – correct it

59

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Do not move unless life threatening situation

• Maintain alignment of head and spine when moving

• Support head and neck• Secure them to a board

60

First Aid for Other Conditions Psychogenic Shock

FaintingPanic attackVomiting

Altered and difficult to controlByproduct of shockDue to anxiety

Others brought on by stress of eventHeart AttackSeizureAsthmaDiabetic Attack

61

Seasoned EMT Don’ts• Don’t

– panic or put yourself in danger

– spend too much time on a non-savable victim

– attempt to plug a bullet-hole (use direct pressure)

– overly worry about infection (use what you can to stop bleeding)

62

Moving A Victim

When to move victimIn the path of a shooterOther hazards

How to move victimWalk them, be a human

crutch, drag, scoot, carry them

Spinal injuries Only if safe to do so

63

Update Your Training

• CPR/AED

• First Aid

• Conflict Resolution

• Stress Management

64

Part 6:Choices You Have When You are

A Victim at an Active shooter Scene

65

Plan For SurvivalPlan For Survival

Escape route plan Locations of exitsPossible pathways to

exitMeeting place

Perform drills as part of training.

Emergency lighting Fire extinguishers

66

Timing in Active Shooter Situations

• Evolve quickly • Shooters are unpredictable• Law Enforcement has

historically been required to stop them

• Arrival of police and EMS on the scene is not immediate

• Be prepared mentally and physically to deal with the situation until help arrives

67

What Will Require Your Attention Alerting others

Others in and around areaAuthoritiesBe able to describe perp.

The victimsProviding first aidMoving to safety

How you face the shooter(s)AssessDetermine the odds

68

Try To Focus and Be Methodical Try Not To Freak Out How To Calm Down

Deep breathsHow would your hero handle it?

Staying Calm HelpsThink more clearlyVictims remain calmThe situation requires a leader

PrioritizeAllocate tasks Need more than just you?

69

Communications To Get Help

• Call 911 for outside help– if you can safely do so– leave line open if

cannot talk

• Alert others onsite with: intercom, phone, page, or the code

70

Not In Line of Fire: Hide vs. Escape

Be quiet and remain calm. Silence your cell phoneTake several deep breaths

and review what to do

Make the decision to hide or escape

Then assess if you can help others while hiding or escaping

71

If Hiding Makes Sense Keep yourself safe

Move to secure area Lock door/barricade it Hide

• behind large furniture• in a large wall vent • in the bathroom

Turn off sources of noise Close the blinds EMS will tell you not to intervene Question someone asking for entry

72

If Escape is FeasibleIf Escape is Feasible

Shooter will not stop until objectives are met or is engaged by police

Is escape best option?Where is the shooter?Multiple shooters? Can you get out

immediately undetected?Advise police of shooter

or plain clothes police

73

If Escaping

Evacuate area using designated exit path – Hug the wall– Check around corners first– Whether or not others agree to

follow– Leave all your belongings– Only jump out a 1st or 2nd floor

window

Help others escape Alert others you come across

74

Helping Others

You are part of a team

Assist others in need Help others escape

with you Escape yourself even

if they are too afraid to try

75

If You Are In The Line Of FireIf You Are In The Line Of Fire You have two choices if shooter is at close range: fight

or comply We do not know how you will or should respond How you respond will be based on:

The actual situation and what is possible, How many of you/they there are Your personality/background Victim camaraderie Feelings of moral responsibility

It is your choice but keep in mind it will take time for police to arrive, assemble, and enter

Your life is on the line

76

When Your Decision is to Comply

Do what the shooter saysKeep your hands where

they can be seenNo sudden movements to

draw attention or alarm ASAvoid eye contact unless

you are being addressedBe quiet and remember

your life may depend on being calm

77

Things to Consider Before Fighting Back

Chance of survival may be greater if you incapacitate the shooter but consider:

How many shooters are there? How many of you are there? How many of you will commit to an attack? What objects do you have available to

disable the person? Do any of you have military training or

experience handling firearms? Does the group have a plan? Are your odds good?

78

When Your Decision is to FightNever attempt to wrestle a gun away

from someone pointing it at youThe closer you are to the shooter the

better the chances of overcoming them sChance of survival is greater when you

are behind or out of vision of shooter incapacitate the shooter improvise a weapon

throw heavy, blunt or sharp objecthit shooter with something heavy use cart to shove them down or door open jump on them stab them with letter opener, scissors, or exacto

79

When Your Decision Is To Mass Attack

Use the code if you know victims or try to preplan during

Opportunity may be obvious to incapacitate and overcome AS

Go for the gun if you are not in the line of fire

Try to knock them down & then Try to get on themGo for hands, eyes,

personals You must COMMIT 100%

80

Do Not Enter A.S. Scene Viewed/Heard From A Distance

Not always completely aware of situation

Need to be absolutely sure who the shooter is

In the Gabby Gifford shooting, a guy mistook a hero for the shooter

81

The “Hostage Corridor” Phase You will be detained Wait for instructions

Call 1 family member Do not talk with the media.

Able witnesses are moved Interviews Post event debriefing.

This phase will take hours Do not interrupt proceedings

unless medically necessary Drink water/eat something

82

Part 7:How To Deal With Volatile

Situations Before They Become Violent Situations

83

Get Help with Coworker Escalating Behavior That is Getting Worse

• Approach if comfortable/offer help

• Report it if repetitive and talking doesn’t help

• Get guidance from pros• Avoid discussing with other

coworkers, family or friends• File a police report• Call 911 for immediate threat• Don’t let escalating behavior

go unchecked

84

The De-Escalation Process• Let them vent • Encourage talking & listening• Repeat back • Break problems down• Be very clear about

– what is going to happen– timelines

• Give them choices • Focus on issue/refocus when necessary • Use comfort/delay tactics as they deescalate• Follow up

85

Don’ts For The De-escalation Process

• Don’t bargain with threatening individual if their behavior is not threatening.

• Don’t make false promises.

• Don’t downplay seriousness of situation

• Keep it simple

• Don’t take sides or agree with distortions

86

Verbal Communication to Deescalate Anger

• Speak slowly but confidently

• Keep your voice down, especially if they are raising theirs

• Communicate respect• Keep it simple• Repeat back for clarity• Do not interrupt

87

Body Language That Helps Deescalate an Angry Individual

• Maintain your space• Don’t put up barriers but don’t

isolate yourself• Project calmness• Show concern and empathy• Don’t appear challenging• Keep you hands in sight • Avoid sudden movements

88

Avoid Altercations

• Do not take sides

• Do not get involved in workplace altercations

• Do not try to break up arguments or fights or you may get in trouble yourself

• Notify your supervisor immediately

89

Do Not Condone Bullying at Work

• As a supervisor– Review policy– Only 1 warning

• As the victim– Be assertive and

refuse to be a victim– Label it– Tell them to stop– Keep a factual journal– Report it

90

Dealing With Angry Customers

• Imminent danger then push panic button or call 911

• If comfortable doing so ask them to lower their voice and listen to them vent – empathize

• Explain the process• Get them to the right person• Report issues to supervisor• Always follow up

91

Ways To Cope with your Emotions Long Term Before YOU Become Violent

• Acknowledge the problem• Take time to gain

perspective• Get help

– HR/EAP– See a counselor– Talk to a spiritual advisor

92

If You Feel Like You Are About to Become Violent Right Now

• Take a deep breath– Think about consequences– Imagine looking back

• Is there an expedient solution?

• Talk to your supervisor, HR, or EAP immediately

• Go to the ER

93

Part 7

94

Signs of Post Traumatic Stress Sleeplessness/nightmares Anti-social behavior

Withdrawal ParanoiaEmotional outbursts

Nervous behaviorDistractedLoss of concentrationPacing and restlessness

Loss of interest in hobbies Substance abuse

95

Get Help Early On

• If you suspect If you suspect PTSD or emotional PTSD or emotional distress; notify distress; notify management.management.

• Assistance will be Assistance will be provided to help the provided to help the employee deal with employee deal with issues.issues.

96

Company EAPs

• Free, confidential counseling program assists employees with anything they perceive to be a problem

• Brief solutions counseling• If you require additional services,

counselors will help you access your mental health benefits, community resources, self-help groups or other services

Employee

Assistance

Program

97

When There Is a Problem The EAP Is a Good Place To Start

• Workplace issues• Feeling stressed to the

point where you might harm yourself or others

• PTSD & CISD • Drug and alcohol abuse • Anxiety & depression

• Family challenges• Conflict resolution• Grief and loss• Relationship issues• Other concerns

98

How An EAP Works• For employees and immediate family in household

• Benefit may be prepaid by your company

– Your company pays set amount monthly to EAP – The company does not receive bill with employee’s name

on it

• EAP services are confidential• Information may only be released with your written

permission • In a crisis or an emergency, counselors

are available by phone 24 / 7• In imminent danger always call 911 first

99

Would You Be Prepared If It Happened To You?

• Have you thought about it?• Discuss it• No single definitive strategy

will ever be appropriate • This class includes possible

options but only you know how you will respond and your response will be based on many factors

100

Your Employer Wants to Protect You

• Look to the future with coworker conflicts

• Be proactive with customers

• Use information in this class to protect yourself, coworkers and work environment

101

The Goal Of This Course Is To Keep Employees Alive

The End

102

Ex LA/NY Policeman’s New Book

• Tool to improve performance

• Advantages: resiliency, profitability, safety

• About power of people connected online and using electronic tools to collaborate to solve problems

103

City of Rio Rancho’s EAP

• The Solutions Group

• To access your EAP call 505-254-3555 for R.R. & Alb.

• Call 1-866-254-3555 if out of town