Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center: Stages of an Active Shooter

Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center: Stages of an Active Shooter: "

MARYLAND COORDINATION AND ANALYSIS CENTER

• 2 pages


• For Official Use Only


• April 20, 2007

Stages of an Active Shooter

(U//FOUO) Due to the recent events in Virginia and threats to schools across the country, the following information is provided as background information for patrol officers. An active shooter is usually not a spur of the moment action. The person progresses through a number of identifiable stages. These stages may occur in rapid succession or over a period of months or even years. During the first four stages, law enforcement may have an

opportunity to intervene before the shooter is able to execute the plan.

Stage 1 – Fantasy

The shooter usually begins the process by imagining the event. They may romanticize the

media coverage and/or the notoriety attributed to them because of the event. The shooter

may express these fantasies through web postings, writings, artwork or even discussions of

the event. If this information is passed on to law enforcement, intervention is possible at

this stage.

Stage 2 – Planning

The next stage is for the shooter to select their target. Decisions on who, what, when, and

where are made during this stage. The shooter will also need to select his/her weapon(s) of

choice and determine the logistics of traveling to the site, transportation of weapons and

other details of the event. If this information is passed on to law enforcement, intervention

is possible at this stage.

Stage 3 – Preparation

During this stage, the shooter obtains the weapon(s) and supplies necessary to carry out the

planned event. The shooter may preposition these items prior to the target date. The

shooter may also warn certain individuals to avoid the target location during a given time

period. If this information is passed on to law enforcement, intervention is possible at this

stage.

Stage 4 – Approach

At this point, the shooter has developed a plan, obtained the necessary weapons and

supplies and is acting on the plans. The shooter is traveling to the target location and, most

likely, will be armed with his weapons of choice. Patrol officers may encounter the shooter

through a traffic stop, a “Terry Stop,” or a citizen complaint. Contact with the shooter at

this point is very dangerous. However, if approached in a tactically sound manner, the

officer may be able to stop the shooter before anyone is harmed.

Stage 5 – Implementation

The shooter is executing the plan. Because he is highly focused on his targets, the shooter

will not stop until he/she runs out of ammunition or victims, or he/she takes their own life.

Responding officers should rely on their training and take immediate appropriate action.

Active shooter events occur across the country in many different locations including

schools, shopping malls, businesses, streets, and other public venues. Review your

agency’s policies and procedures for addressing active shooter scenarios. Familiarize

yourself with possibly targets on your post and all possible approach routes, building

layouts, security features, etc. Prior knowledge of the locations will work to your

advantage in a crisis.

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