What is an Active Shooter Incident?

In 2023 alone, the United States has experienced over 420 mass shootings. Those 420 active shooter incidents resulted in the loss of 465 lives and caused injuries to 1,781 individuals. 

Most people can relate to the anxiety and sadness we experience while scrolling through the news coverage of these events and watching the aftermath unfold from afar, but that pain is minimal compared to the devastation that is felt by the survivors and the families of the deceased. 

So, it’s time for a discussion on how we can work to prevent these incidents. It may be a difficult conversation, but it is necessary.  

Before we can work to prepare, we must understand: 

What is an active shooter incident? Let’s break it down.  

1.  An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined or populated area. 
   • In most cases, active shooters use multiple firearms(s). 
   • Victims or locations can be targeted in advance, or
   • There can be no pattern or method to the selection of victims.
2. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly.
   
3. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. 
4. Active shooter incidents are often over within 10 to 15 minutes. 
5. Before law enforcement arrives on the scene, we must be prepared mentally and physically to act swiftly and intently (US Department of Homeland Security, 2023).

It is human nature to try to assuage our fear by saying, “it won’t happen to me,” and it can be even easier to detach ourselves from this detriment when we view mass shootings as numbers on a page. But these are very real situations. Real people that have died, and real survivors that are trying to cope with the trauma they’ve experienced. We, as individuals and as Harbinger of Sovereign, want to help you take the first steps toward developing a personalized prevention and response plan for your business.  

The safety of your workplace and your staff is important. Don’t wait until it is too late – click here to speak with one of our specialists and learn more about Harbinger of Sovereign's training options.