Active Shooter Detection and How To Recognize Early Warning Signs

Active shooter incidents rose in 2023, though at a slower rate than the prior four years. According to the FBI, 48 active shooter events were designated as active shooter incidents in 2023, a 4% decrease from 2022 but a 60% increase since 2019. The 48 active shooter incidents occurred across 26 states and involved five location types: open spaces, commercial areas, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and residences.

This goes to show that active shooting can occur anywhere, anytime, and organizations must be aware of early warning signs and implement active shooter training and prevention plans. Early detection is key to saving lives.

What Is An Active Shooter?

First, let us understand what an active shooter is. Generally, a person can be considered as an active shooter if:

• They are actively engaged in killing or trying to kill people in a confined and populated area.
• They use firearms, improvised explosives or other weapons specifically to cause harm to others.
• Their actions indicate they have no concern for their own wellbeing and intend to kill as many victims as possible.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. This can be due to the element of surprise, lack of pre-planning, and the short duration of most active shooter incidents. Though they are rare, they can be devastating in terms of casualties and long-term psychological effects for the survivors and community.

The Catalyst For Violence

To understand in-dept and know more about the factors that drive an individual to commit an active shooting, it helps to look at common catalysts for this type of violence:

Push Factors

External pressures and life circumstances often play a critical role in pushing someone toward violent behavior over time. Push factors like bullying, workplace stress, and significant losses can accumulate, creating feelings of isolation, frustration, or desperation. These ultimately act as triggers, leaving individuals feeling they have no option but to lash out. These pressures build up, sometimes unnoticed, until a person reaches a breaking point.

Recognizing these external stressors is essential to identifying those at risk of violent escalation. By noticing patterns like increased isolation or sudden changes in behavior, it becomes possible to intervene before the situation spirals out of control. Identifying push factors early can help prevent tragedies and support those who are struggling.

Mental Health Struggles

Most people know that these types of events are driven by mental health issues alone. In fact, more than half of the mass shooters in the U.S. from 1982 to 2015 displayed signs of mental health issues prior to their attacks, according to Statista. In 74 of the 151 reported mass shootings, the shooter(s) showed signs of mental health problems. Conversely, there were no apparent signs of mental illness in 17 of the 150 cases studied.

These signs can manifest in various ways, from extreme paranoia to emotional volatility. Still, it's crucial to avoid stigmatizing all mental health conditions as being linked to violence. Understanding the difference between someone struggling with mental health and those on the path to violence is key.

Ideology

Many active shooters also have an extremist ideology that contributes to their decision to carry out violence. Ideologies like white supremacy, anti-government sentiment, or militant religious beliefs can motivate attackers and provide a justification for their actions. These ideological motives are often combined with personal grievances and push factors that ultimately drive someone to violence.

For example, a belief that one's race is superior combined with feelings of isolation and alienation from society could motivate an extremist to carry out an attack. However, having conservative or extreme views alone does not make someone likely to commit violence. Other factors must be present to push an individual toward such extremes.

Grievances

Probably one of the most powerful motivators behind acts of targeted violence is personal grievances and perceived injustices. Active shooters often feel wronged by a person, group or institution and seek revenge through violence. These grievances can be real or perceived and may involve feelings of rejection, bullying, harassment and other slights.

For employers, coworkers and teachers, being aware of an individual's grievances and frustrations can serve as an early warning sign. If these grievances become all-consuming or result in plans for retaliation, intervention may be needed to de-escalate the situation.

Identifying People In Crisis

It's always easy to identify people in crisis that might turn into active shooters in hindsight. The real challenge is recognizing the warning signs early enough to intervene before violence occurs. Here are some signs to watch out for:

Behavioral Changes

• Changes in personality or mood, becoming suddenly withdrawn, depressed or anxious.
• Increased anger, agitation or aggression over minor things. Any threats or disturbing writings, drawings or social media posts.
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs.
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits.
• Declining personal hygiene.

Increasing Isolation

• Spending more time alone and withdrawing from social activities or friends.
• Expressing feelings of isolation, persecution or injustice.
• Obsessing over personal problems or grievances to the point of being all-consuming.

Increased Interest in Weapons

• Expressing an unusual or concerning interest in weapons, mass attacks or past shootings.
• Making comments hinting at plans for violence or using phrases like "getting even."

If you notice any of these warning signs in someone you know, reach out to them. Offer support and resources. And if you believe they pose an imminent threat to themselves or others, report your concerns immediately to law enforcement.

Recognizing Suspicious Behaviors

Suspicious behaviors may provide clues that someone is in crisis and considering violence against others. Some behaviors to watch for include:

• Making direct or veiled threats of violence. Even seemingly "joking" threats should be taken seriously.
• Expressing intense anger and hatred towards a particular group or person.
• Researching details about previous shootings or attacks.
• Obtaining or practicing with weapons, creating lists of potential victims or seeking notoriety.

If you notice any of these behaviors in someone you know, take it seriously and report it immediately.?

Practical Techniques for Enhancing Active Shooter Detection

The best way to protect yourself or your organization from an active shooter incident is through comprehensive prevention and preparedness. Some key strategies include:

Training and Education

Provide regular training to employees on how to recognize and report warning signs, as well as what to do in an active shooter situation. Consider offering:

• Workplace violence awareness training
• Alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate (ALICE) training
• Run, hide, fight training

If you're looking for a comprehensive training program, Intellezy's active shooter training course provides a proven framework to help your organization identify and prevent potential incidents.

This course covers Emergency Action Planning, including strategies for evacuation, lockdown and sheltering in place to ensure safety during critical incidents. Participants will also learn about the importance of Grief Counseling and PTSD support for individuals affected by the trauma of such events.

Physical Security Measures

Implement physical security measures to restrict access to your facility and slow or stop an active shooter. These may include:

• Visitor screening and badge requirements
• Use of barriers, bollards and reinforced doors
• Surveillance cameras
• Locking classroom and office doors

The more barriers in place, the more time for law enforcement to respond to an incident. Physical security needs to be paired with education, training and reporting procedures in order to have a comprehensive active shooter prevention program.

Fostering a Safe Workplace

Beyond these physical and procedural defenses, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace culture can help reduce the risk of violence. Employees who feel valued, respected and supported are less likely to resort to violence. Some ways to promote a positive work environment include:

• Treating all employees fairly and with dignity
• Maintaining open lines of communication
• Encouraging employees to voice any concerns they have
• Having a clearly communicated code of conduct
• Providing resources for employees in need, such as an EAP program
• Celebrating successes and good work regularly

By paying attention, communicating effectively and providing support for individuals in need, organizations can minimize the potential for violence before it ever occurs.

Stay Alert, Stay Safe

It's sad that we are now living in a world where active shooter incidents have become all too common. However, being alert and prepared can help save lives. Here are some things you can do to stay safe:

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Know where the exits are located and have an evacuation plan in mind.
2. If you see something suspicious, report it immediately. Don't assume someone else will report it. Your information could be critical.
3. Trust your instincts. If a situation feels dangerous or wrong, remove yourself from it without delay.
4. Avoid making threats, even in jest. Active shooter incidents have been triggered by comments that were not meant seriously but were misinterpreted.
5. Participate in active shooter training and drills. Practice makes response more instinctive in a real crisis.

Staying vigilant, communicating concerns, and knowing how to react to danger are key steps we can all take to preventing active shooter incidents and saving lives. By working together and looking out for one another, we can make our communities and workplaces safer.

Are you ready to give your organization an edge over the threat of active shooters? Intellezy's Active Shooter Response and Active Shooter Strategy training programs can equip your team with the right knowledge and strategies to effectively prepare and respond to such incidents. Request a free trial today and see how our solutions can help.