Active Killer Response Training

1. Survival Mindset Active Killer Response Training Lt Ralph McDuffie

2. Topics for Discussion • “Run, Hide, Fight” Video • Historical Perspective • Profile of an Active killer • Indicators of Potential Violence • Situational Awareness • Course of Action • Public Safety Response • Prevention • Summary • References

3. Historical Perspective - First recorded vehicular rampage? • 1973 Olga Hepnarová case, Czechoslovakian woman using a truck to go on a rampage, who on 10 July 1973, killed eight people with a truck in Prague. Hepnarová was convicted and sentenced to death, and was executed in 1975, the last woman executed in Czechoslovakia.

4. Historical Perspective - First Workplace mass workplace killing in the US? • Charles Newton Layman was an American who killed six people and wounded a seventh in Los Angeles CA on December 16, 1935. He was afterwards arrested and found to be insane.

5. Historical Perspective - First School massacre in the US? • The Enoch Brown school massacrewas "one of the most notorious incidents “of Pontiacs War on July 26, 1764, four Indians entered a settlers' log schoolhouse in Pennsylvania near the present-day city of Greencastle. • Inside were the schoolmaster, Enoch Brown, and a number of young students. Brown pleaded with the warriors to spare the children; nonetheless he was shot, Brown and nine children were killed.

6. Historical Perspective - Second School massacre in the US? • Andrew Philip Kehoe was an American farmer and treasurer of his township school board, killing his wife and 43 other people (including 38 children), and injuring 58 people by setting off bombs in the Bath Schoolhouse massacre on May 18, 1927.

7. Historical Perspective - First school shooting in the US? • John Anthony Gardner Davis of the University of Virginia 1840, Davis stepped outside his pavilion on the East Lawn to investigate a disturbance, and was shot and killed by a rioting student, Joseph Semmes, when he attempted to remove the student’s mask.

8. Historical Perspective - Total number of worldwide recorded massacres? • Massacre is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "the indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of people; carnage, butchery, slaughter in numbers". • 61 thru 2018, 289 significant events worldwide that don’t include every school or workplace shooting. No, this is not a complete list. • At least 2,351,923 victims or more documented victims.

9. Historical Perspective - Total number of school based recorded massacres? • From 1764 to date, 1 April 2018, 1325 fatalities have been recorded in school massacres. • During this same time period there have been 1912 recorded injuries resulting of school based nassacres.

10. Historical Perspective • What does this all mean to us?

11. Profile of an Active killer • An individual, or group of individuals, actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area • Active killers typically use firearm(s) • Often no pattern or method to their selection of victims • Could be anyone

12. Profile of An Active killer • Consequences are potentially catastrophic • Incidents over quickly (10-15 minutes) • First line of defense • Action taken by personnel on-site is the most effective way to stop the killing • Establishing a proper mindset and tools to react with purpose is called Survival Mindset Odds of one’s involvement in workplace or school violence: “One in One Million”

13. Profile of An Active killer Common Myths • Out of the blue • Never saw it coming • He just snapped • Most situations will resolve themselves if given a cooling off period • Warning signs are always predictive of violentbehavior • Violence is random, spontaneous, and unpredictable

14. Profile of An Active killer Realities • Threats are almost always present • Leakage, warnings made through comments (intentional or unintentional) can reveal clues to feelings, thoughts, fantasies, or intentions that may result in violence • Erratic/abnormal behavior is a principle warning sign of future violence • Bullying is often a stepping stone to violence • The path toward violence, is an evolutionary one with signs posted along the way (indicators)

15. Path of Violence • The conscious decision to kill or physically harm specific or symbolic victims is now categorized as targeted or intended violence. In contrast to affective or impulsive violence, targeted violence is by definition planned, emotionless, and predatory. • Systematic research and extensive case experience has demonstrated the central notion of a targeted “pathway to violence”, and its significance for a violence risk assessment.

16. Path of Violence • Homicidal violence of this nature is rooted in deeply felt personal grievances, usually fed by an accumulation of work or school related or personal losses, chronic anger, and/or driven by delusional or paranoid states of mind. • Seeking revenge or notoriety by this means, perpetrators of targeted violence invariably traverse the pathway to violence, progressing along identifiable steps. Such movement is often revealed to others, as it is not uncommon for the individual contemplating violence to communicate his or her feelings and intentions in some form to third parties, such as co-workers and friends, and less often directly to a target.

17. Path of Violence • The sequential steps on the pathway – from its beginning with a felt grievance, to violent ideation, research and planning, specific preparations for violence, possible security breaches, to a concluding attack – are illustrated in this graphic

18. Path of Violence • IDEA: Attacker accepts the idea that violence is a valid option for meeting his/her needs • PLAN: Attacker begins to plan for the act of violence • PREPARE: Attacker begins to physically assemble what will be needed to accomplish the attack • ACT: Attacker attempts to complete the violence

20. Indicators of Potential Violence Offenders • Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs • Often exhibit angry or argumentative behavior • Unexplained increases in absenteeism • Depression / withdrawal • Blame others for their problems • Repeated violations to policy and procedures • Fail to take responsibility for their own actions • Increased severe mood swings • Retaliate against perceived injustice

21. Indicators of Potential Violence Other Concerns • Increasingly talks of problems at home • Increasing belligerence • Behavior which is suspect of paranoia “everybody is against me” • Hypersensitivity to criticism • Recent acquisition/fascination with weapons • Talk of previous incidents of violence • Empathy with individuals committing violence

22. Indicators of Potential Violence Other Concerns(Cont.) • Preoccupation with violent themes, video games • Interest in recently publicized violent events • Outburst of anger • Extreme disorganization • Noticeable changes in behavior • Homicidal/suicidal comments or threats

23. Indicators of Potential Violence Suicide • “Putting things in order” • May not be perceived as a threat to others • Serious danger sign • Described as violence directed inward • Many active killing incidents end in offender suicide

24. Indicators of Potential Violence • Motives: • 61% motivated by desire for revenge • 75% felt bullied/persecuted/threatened by others • Statistics: • 93% of attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the attack that caused others to be concerned • 93% of attackers planned out the attack in advance • 95% of attackers were current students • 48% of attacks occurred in places of business

25. Statistics • Of 160 active shooter incidents in the United States between 2000 and 2013, over 80 percent (132) occurred at work. • 1,043 people were either killed or wounded in all 160 incidents, excluding the shooters. There was an average of 6.4 incidents per year from 2000-06, but the rate increased to 16.4 incidents per year from 2007-13. The incidents occurred in 40 states and in Washington, D.C.

26. The above pie chart shows a statistical breakdown of the location categories where the 160 active shooter incidents took place in the United States from 2000 to 2013. Those location categories include: areas of commerce, 45.6 percent; educational environments, 24.4 percent; government property, 10 percent; open spaces, 9.4 percent; residences, 4.4 percent; houses of worship, 3.8 percent; and health care facilities, 2.5 percent.

27. Statistics • Of the 132 worksite shootings, 73 incidents (45.6 percent) took place at businesses, 39 (24.4 percent) at schools, 16 (10 percent) at government sites, and four at health care facilities (2.5 percent). • The 73 incidents that occurred in business environments resulted in 210 people killed (including 12 company owners, supervisors or managers) and 272 people wounded (including six owners, supervisors or managers). Most of the attacks took place on workdays, particularly Tuesdays and Fridays, with a fairly equal spread among remaining days of the week.

28. Situational Awareness • Killing can occur anytime, anywhere, to anyone • Unlike any situation ever experienced • Bottom Line: You need to take direct responsibility for your personal safety and security • Survival Mindsetis a protective shield • Comprised of three components: Awareness, Preparation, and Rehearsal

29. Situational Awareness Survival Mindset Components • Awareness • Gain a basic understanding of situation • Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers • Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit • Predetermined mindset will help you take rapid, effective actions

30. Situational Awareness Survival Mindset Components (Cont.) • Preparation • Looking at your environment through the lens of survival • “What if” questions are critical in developing effective response strategies • Survivors prepare themselves both mentally and emotionally to do whatever it takes to survive • Rehearsal • Mentally or physically practicing your plan • Will reduce response time and build confidence • A survival inoculation

31. Situational Awareness • Life-Threatening Risk: • Any action taken, or not taken, during an active-killer incident may involve life-threatening risk • Survival Mindset: • Will provide a strong foundation upon which to base decisions and actions

32. Situational Awareness • Figure Out • How are you going to survive? • Will you Run? • Is there a path of escape? • Will you hide? • Is there a chance to get to where the killer may not find you? • Is your only option to fight the killer? • Last resort!

33. Course of Action • Survival Mindset • Enables you to act quickly and effectively • Mindful, not fearful • Better able to make that first, critical decision • Continuous Assessment Process • Allows you to take appropriate survival action • Use all senses • Trust your intuition—that “gut” feeling (knowing without knowing why)

34. Course of Action - Options Based Response • Traditional lockdown vs options based response? “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” George Santayana

35. Course of Action - Options Based Response • Run • Move quickly; don’t wait for others to validate your decision • Leave belongings behind • Go away from the killer • Survival chances increase if you are not where killer is or go where he can’t see you • Call • Inform authorities • Call 9-1-1 and tell them the name of killer (if known), killer description, location, number and type of weapons

36. Course of Action - Options Based Response • Hide • May not be able to get out • killer between you and the only exit • Would have to enter area where killer is positioned • Lock the door if possible! • Hiding place • Well hidden and well protected • Avoid if possible places that might trap you or restrict movement

37. Course of Action - Options Based Response • Hide • Find a room that can be locked with objects to hide behind • Blockade and lock 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 killer)

38. Course of Action - Options Based Response • Hide • If two or more of you, DO NOT huddle together; gives you options and makes it harder for the killer • Quietly develop a plan of fight action in the event the killer enters • Remain calm • Can have a contagious effect on others • Keeps others focused on survival

39. Course of Action - Options Based Response • Fight • Assume killer’s intentions are lethal • killer 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 (countermeasures) • If two or more of you, make a plan to overcome the killer • Do the best that you can—choose to survive

40. Public Safety Response • The response will be a very strong and robust all hazards approach. • The nature of the incident is extremely dynamic and initially responders will possibly treat victims as suspects until a better situational assessment is made. • Use common sense as a victim

41. Prevention • Importance of developing a safety / security policy and a child protection policy. • Options based response and the plan is exercised • Recognizing high risk areas in the facility. • Legal, insurance and liability issues. • Develop a facility security assessment checklist that includes; • persons and property protection • financial protection • transportation protection • mission team protection

42. Prevention • If suspicious or uncomfortable, report your observations and feelings: “See Something, Say Something” • Violence and threats of violence • Often result from frustration and a communication breakdown • Individuals can make a difference • Listen to “troubled” individual • People want to be heard and understood • A safe campus, workplace or church is everyone’s responsibility

43. Prevention Warning Signs • Supervision should probe to discover if the subject has engaged in research, planning, or preparation (e.g., researched weapons or made attempts to obtain a weapon). Movement from thought to action represents a severe escalation of the risk of violence. • Approximately 80% of active killer incidents at least one person had information that the attacker was thinking about or planning the attack. In nearly 66%, more than one person had information about the attack before it occurred. In nearly all of these cases, the person who knew was a peer, a friend, schoolmate, or sibling. • Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most attacks were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention. • Be conscious of the “Werther Effect,” defined as a duplication or copycat of another suicidal act. Active killing incidents are typically well-publicized, sensationalized events that can trigger an increase in similar acts for roughly days or weeks after the attack.

44. Summary • See Something, Say Something • Recognizing • Reacting – Options based response • Run • Hide • Fight • Call 911 • Reacting when Law Enforcement arrives • Adopting the survival mindset during times of crisis

45. References • Safety Guidelines for Armed Subjects, Active killers Situations, Indiana University Police Department, April 2007 • Safety tips and guidelines regarding potential “Active killer” incidents occurring on campus, University of California Police • Workplace Violence Desk reference, Security Management Group International • How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations, US Department of labor, OSHA 3088, 2001 • Active killer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Oct 2008 • FBI Active Shooter study 2000-2013

46. Online Active Killer Courses • Active Shooter Preparedness (Online) • https://www.dhs.gov/active-shooter-preparedness • ALICE Training Individual Certification • https://www.alicetraining.com/training-options/individual-certification/

47. Questions? Ralph.mcduffie@lcso.org