Laserfiche WebLink
Unclassified <br />This study helps clarify the environment with regard to both the level of risk citizens face <br />and the speed with which active shooter incidents occur. A majority of the 160 incidents (90 <br />[56.3%]) ended on the shooter's initiative before the police arrived—sometimes when the <br />shooter committed suicide or stopped shooting, and other times when the shooter fled the <br />scene. In 64 incidents where the duration of the incident could be ascertained, 44 (69.0%) of <br />64 incidents ended in 5 minutes or less, with 23 ending in 2 minutes or less. <br />The study identified 21 (13.1%) of 160 incidents where unarmed citizens made the selfless <br />and deeply personal choices to face the danger of an active shooter. In those instances, <br />the citizens safely and successfully disrupted the shootings. In 11 of those 21 incidents, <br />unarmed principals, teachers, other school staff and students confronted the shooters to <br />end the threat. In 10 incidents, citizens, working or shopping when the shootings began, <br />successfully restrained shooters until police could arrive. And in 6 other incidents, armed <br />off-duty police officers, citizens, and security guards risked their lives to successfully end <br />the threat. These actions likely saved the lives of students and others present. <br />Recognizing the increased active shooter threat and the swiftness with which active shooter <br />incidents unfold, these study results support the importance of training and exercises <br />not only for law enforcement but also for citizens. It is important, too, that training and <br />exercises include not only an understanding of the threats faced but also the risks and <br />options available in active shooter incidents. <br />Finally, the FBI recognizes that seeking to avoid these tragedies is clearly the best result. The <br />FBI remains dedicated to supporting prevention efforts within all communities affected by <br />these tragedies. As the FBI continues to study the active shooter phenomenon, the Bureau <br />remains committed to assist state, local, tribal, and campus law enforcement in developing <br />better prevention, response, and recovery practices involving active shooter incidents. <br />Unclassified 21 <br />