Coulson, Jackson and Associates Blog

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Active Shooter

"A massacre in progress and you are there."

You find yourself in the middle of an active shooter situation. You are armed.

What action do you take?

You are at risk from the attacker/attackers and possibly from responding law enforcement personnel as well.

Your legal authority to carry a concealed weapon may save your life or work against you and cause your death.

There are effective things you can do to save your life and the lives of others.

Both FBI Director Robert Mueller and New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly have raised the specter of a Mumbai type of attack here in the United States.

How should you respond?

In November of 2008 I did commentary on the Hannity and Combs show on the Fox Television Network. I am a contributor for Fox and often appear with Sean on his program providing comments on high visibility criminal cases and especially tactical operations.

The topic was the terrorist attack in Mumbai, India where a team of well prepared terrorists attacked an entire city including police headquarters, a train station and luxury hotels. Most of us watched the weak government response unfold with grave concern. What if that happened here in the United States? What should I do? Could I save my family or myself if we were caught up in the intended slaughter? We will explore these questions and give you some ideas about things that you should and should not do.

Law enforcement agencies have various definitions of an Active Shooter Situation. It is enough to say that it is an ongoing slaughter with force of arms where groups and individuals are targeted by one or more killers. Escape or self-defense is about the only avenues for survival. Law enforcement rescue is not likely to be eminent and mercy is not on the minds of the attackers.

Possibly the most vivid image burned into our mind is the Columbine High School Shooting where Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold launched a heavily armed attack on their fellow students on April 20, 1999. Harris carried a 12 gauge pump shot gun which he fired 25 times and a 9mm semi-automatic carbine which he fired 96 times before committing suicide with the shotgun.

You must understand that even if you are lawfully armed, you will be outgunned. YOU WILL BE OUTGUNNED!!!

Twelve students and one teacher were killed in the attack and twenty-four other students were injured and fortunately survived.

The victims were literally on their own and received no help from law enforcement or medical personnel until the subjects were dead and then all were not rescued for four hours. In most cases an active shooter will only be stopped by armed intervention or the suicide of the shooter. In some cases they will continue their slaughter and just walk away from the scene. Mir Amil Kanzi the assassin that shot CIA Employees as they entered the gates of their headquarters did just that. Kanzi used an AK 47 type weapon and merely walked away to be apprehended much later by the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team in Pakistan.

Now, transpose a Columbine type scenario to a shopping mall, Movie Theater, park, sporting event or your church. We have seen several unfortunate examples of active shooters attacking those engaged in worship services. Most of you are familiar with Matthew Murray who attacked the “Youth With a Mission” dormitory in Arvada, Colorado and the New Life Church in Colorado Springs. His murderous acts were finally brought to a halt when he was engaged by Jeanne Assam, a police officer inside the church. Murray was armed with two handguns, an assault rifle and 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Jeanne Assam’s actions were not only heroic, but well thought out. She originally raised security issues with the church pastor based on media reports of the previous shootings in Arvada and organized security personnel who were members of the church. Responding to gunfire, she moved toward the sounds and in her own words.” I saw him coming through the doors and TOOK COVER. I came out of COVER and identified myself and engaged him and took him down”. Note that Assam took cover before taking any direct action against Murray. Remember this, COVER is very important to survival in any active shooter situation. Assam’s actions literally saved the lives of scores of her fellow church members. She is indeed a modern day hero. Two equally important things allowed her to be successful.

Number one, she was prepared and ready to defend her church and number two she was armed. One makes no sense without the other.

We have described the armament and the violence of the Columbine School and Church shooting to give you some idea of what you will be facing if you find yourself and your family victims of an intended slaughter. Even if you are armed as a lawful concealed weapon holder, the weapon that you have with you on that critical day may not be adequate. I have discussed the contents of this article with law enforcement personnel, including the FBI and tactical operators and they totally agree with the conclusion that you will be out gunned and likely out manned.

Invariably attacks are launched in locations where people are unarmed and helpless. They kill anything that comes within their view and seldom grant mercy. Seung-Hui Cho slaughtered 32 members of the student body and faculty at Virginia Tech University. His actions continued for over two hours. His first victims were killed at 7:15 in the morning and it was not until almost two hours later that he continued his rampage, even going so far as to chain the entrance doors to the academic building where he killed 30 people. Note that he was armed with a Walther P22 and a Glock 19 in 9mm. He carried 400 rounds of ammunition and had the capacity to kill many more before he died of self inflicted wounds.

We have provided much detail about the typical armament of an active shooter. The incidents that we described here involved one or two shooters, now imagine that the Mumbai terrorists come to the United States and you find yourself faced with four or five shooters. The Director of the FBI Robert Mueller has publicly proclaimed the possible such an attack here in the United States. Do you have a chance? Only if you prepare and are properly armed. Remember you likely did not bring enough gun. That being said, you and your family can survive, but it is important to understand the action that is likely to be taken against you. Remember there are no bystanders, only murderers and potential victims and you are one of them.

It is important to remember that if you are armed, that you do not become perceived as an Active Shooter Yourself. You should understand that responding police officers will have no idea who the real active shooter is (are) and will have very sketchy descriptive information if any and will be keying upon weapons and violent acts. If you are observed with a weapon by the police, either responding to the scene, or an off duty officer who happens to be in the area, you run the very high risk of being killed by the police. Responding police officers will be very excited and frankly you cannot be sure of their training and experience. This could result in a very tragic outcome.

When police respond to a tactical emergency, they take precautions to be sure they are properly identified. They dawn a raid jacket that says POLICE, FBI, SHERIFF or other designation that will protect them from being accidentally shot by responding officers. If a raid jacket is not available, they will display their shields either on a chain around their neck or in their hand. Even then, sometimes there are accidents. These are high stress events.

IMPORTANT: THERE ARE NO RAID JACKETS THAT SAY GOOD GUY!!!!!!

If you draw your weapon and attempt to engage an active shooter, you may very well be shot by responding police officers. They will observe you and your displayed weapon in a very high stress situation and see you engaging a human being. It makes no difference that you in your mind are trying to save lives and are willing to risk yours life to eliminate a threat. They likely will not know that the person you are engaging is armed. To them YOU ARE THE THREAT!!! THEY WILL KILL YOU!!!

Do you do nothing? Absolutely not! Take action, but make sure it is the proper action to save your life.

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Be especially watchful of those who carry large backpacks. The Mumbai shooters brought their weapons, supplies and food to their killing area in backpacks and satchels. The Columbine Shooters had bags for their large cache of weapons. Look for heavy, bulky clothing, especially in summer months. There could be concealed weapons hidden in their clothing.

2. Also know where the exits are if you are in a shopping mall, theater, stadium or other facility. This is important if you need to escape a fire or criminal event. At the first sign of violence, your first thought should be the escape of yourself, family and others. Your first indication of an active shooter situation will likely be the sound or observation of gunfire, followed by crowds of individuals fleeing from the gunfire. If possible immediately head for the exit and upon gaining the outside stay low and move until you are certain that you have reached a safe area. There is the possibility that confederate shooters could be waiting outside, though not likely. It is important to remember that all shooters have problems shooting running targets even when they are armed with semi-automatic weapons or shotguns. Movement and cover is your best defense. Automobiles in parking lots will likely be your best source of cover. Above all, do not display your weapon except as a last resort to save your life. Remember do not be perceived as the active shooter.

3. If escape from the facility is not available, try to get to a position where you can barricade yourself against the hostile action. In a shopping mall get into any kind of a store or room where you can secure yourself and others. Lock and barricade the door with furniture, boxes or anything that will resist entry. IMMEDIATELY PLACE YOUR CELL PHONE ON VIBRATE AND CALL 911 TO ANNOUCE THE SITUATION AND YOUR LOCATION. Give the 911 operator your location and the location of the active shooter if possible. The shooter is looking for any target of opportunity and may key upon ringing cell phones to locate his victims. Take a position that is at an angle to the door. A shooter may shoot through the door if he is frustrated in gaining entry. Seung-Hui Cho did just that at the Virginia Tech Shootings. Bullets passing through a door are still deadly.

If you find yourself in an active shooter situation in your hotel, the same principles apply. Look for escape first. If you are in your room, immediately lock and secure the door and move all of the furniture in the room to barricade the door. Place your cell phone on vibrate. Remember all security is based on the concept of time and space. You need time to gain space for yourself and space between you and the shooter buys you time. An active shooter delayed, is likely to move on. Hotel room doors are generally very substantial and offer some protection especially if enhanced with barricade. Try to wedge furniture against the door and remember to take a position at an angle to the door. Again you do not want to be struck by shots fired through the door. You should be familiar with the penetration capability of your side arm. You may have to use it. You are in the fight of your life. Get as low as you can behind some sort of cover if possible. Have your weapon ready in the event the door is breached and you must defend yourself. DO NOT WAVE THE WEAPON AROUND. A responding police sniper across the way may engage you as the active shooter. If you must draw your weapon keep it low to the side of your leg. If the door is breached you will have to consider engaging the subject or subjects with defensive fire. Do not rise to engage, stay low and behind cover. Do not deviate from this. To be low and behind cover helps to even your odds. If you have the opportunity, use bathroom soap or your wife’s lipstick to write “Help” on the outside windows. The word “hostage” and the number of people with you can help. Remember to write backwards. If you are on a lower floor and near the ground, break out the window and look to escape. Hopefully help will be on the way to assist you. Call 911 and advise of your location to include room number and number of hostages.

4. If you find that gaining the protection of escape or barricade is not possible and you are trapped, immediately seek cover. Above all stay as low as possible and if flight is impossible stay still. A shopping mall or other like place has benches, large concrete flower or tree containers and pillars. All can provide you with some cover. TURN YOUR CELL PHONE ON VIBRATE AND IF THE SITUATION IS APPROPRIATE, CALL 911. Tell the operator where you are and your situation. If possible give a description of location and shooter. Only use the phone if it will not compromise your position. The eyes of humans and animals key first upon movement. If you are a hunter, you are understand this already. Keep yourself and your family as still as possible and if you chose to draw your weapon, keep it near your side or flat against your chest. It is very important that you stay low. Responding officers are very likely to shoot anyone standing. Remember the shooter will almost always be standing so that he can move and maneuver to find and kill his targets. He is not likely to be seeking cover in a low position.

5. If you have been able to get cover and establish a defensive position, continue to look around for the shooter and for responding officers. DO NOT ASSUME THAT THERE IS ONE SHOOTER. There may be many, and if they separate, they can double back and attack from more than one direction. It is almost as if you are assuming a sniper position. Keep your weapon out of sight until you absolutely need to use it to protect yourself. Remember that responding officers may not be in uniform or identifiable at first glance. Look for a badge around the individual’s neck or other identifying items. If you are certain of the police identities, let them know your position, KEEP YOUR WEAPON OUT OF SIGHT, and respond to their instructions. Show police your EMPTY HANDS. Police always look for hands in responding to an active shooter situation. Secure your weapon and show hands up over your head. Remember active shooters generate chaos and fire indiscriminately while law enforcement officers are attempting to restore order. Watch their actions very carefully.

This is not a stand down in the middle of the street in Tombstone, Arizona situation. You are not Wyatt Earp or Matt Dillon. Shoot from a position of cover or concealment; absolutely know your target and fire only to defend yourself or others. It is important that you only engage a target that is within your normal comfort range. Attempting to engage an active shooters at ranges beyond your capability is not likely to be effective.

CONCLUSION:

Unless you are a combat veteran or an experienced tactical operator, your involvement in an Active Shooter Situation may be the greatest challenge of your life. We have tried to give you information in this article to help you understand the nature of these outrageously dangerous situations and some proposed courses of actions. It is important that you follow the laws of your state regarding concealed carry, prohibited areas of carry, and the laws of deadly force. Do not take your responsibilities lightly. Obtain the proper permits for carry and practice, practice, practice. You may have to use your weapon at ranges that go far beyond the seven to ten yards that you likely train on to test our proficiency. Whether armed or not, always be aware of your surroundings, be prepared to take action to escape, barricade or take cover. Do not take action that would cause you to be viewed as the active shooter yourself. Your life depends on it.

From:
Danny O. Coulson

"It happened to me."

FOUR AGAINST ONE
Situational awareness, training, concealed carry even the odds

By Danny O. Coulson

“’Better watch this one,” I thought—“too hot for a hooded sweatshirt.’”

.”… Subject Two now wore a ski mask as he quickly moved toward me, there was no doubt that our lives were in danger.”

Spring, 2007 my wife and I drove from home near Fort Worth, to visit family in New Orleans. I carried a CAR-15 in the trunk of our Honda Ridgeline, secured my H&K P-7 in the glove compartment and armed myself with a vintage Browning P-35, my weapon of choice since serving on the Hostage Rescue Team.

Our journey to Louisiana was uneventful and our return on a warm Sunday afternoon started as a leisurely drive, until the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area on I-20. My wife wanted some bottled water. I pulled into a service station on the north side of I-20. We had fuel, so I bypassed the pumps, to park and run into the mini-mart. As I pulled past the pumps and store entrance, I noticed a bandit barrier protecting the cashier. My antenna went up: There was enough concern over robberies, to protect their employees. Better be alert.

On Alert!

With no parking near the door, I pulled to the far left end. I noticed a dumpster just to the far left of the building; Leaning against it was an individual wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. His arms were crossed and he watched us intently. “Better watch this one,” I thought—“too hot for a hooded sweatshirt.”

I nodded toward the dumpster and under my breath said to my wife, “I don’t like that one.” We entered, purchased water and exited the front door to return to our truck. I took my wife’s arm and steered her toward the center of the lot, toward the pumps, not along the sidewalk. I wanted space, for time to react if necessary. Our route to the truck was a gentle ark, letting me visually cover most of the parking area. Using the sidewalk between parked cars and the mini mart would have been seriously impeded my ability to see a threat before it was upon us. Training and experience have taught me to rapidly close with an opponent in a CQB (close quarter battle) situation and give him little time to react. In the HRT, our CQB philosophy was “speed, surprise and violence of action.” We always wanted to launch rescue operations as close to the subjects as possible, to maximize our tactical advantage and firepower. Were I to be attacked I needed to reverse that, to gain space and time and rely upon my firearms skill to prevail.

As we approached the truck, the individual still stood by the dumpster, arms still crossed, watching us intently. His gaze did not leave us as we approached the truck. I opened the passenger door and told my wife, “get the pistol.” I walked behind the truck and thought for a second about retrieving the CAR-15, but did not because I had not been threatened and did not want to alarm customers. But suspicions would change to threats in seconds.

The Trap

As I turned the rear corner of the truck, the man in the sweatshirt (“Subject One”) started walking briskly to my left in the direction of the pumps, never taking his eyes from me. There was no doubt in my mind he was trying to circle behind and very likely put me in an “L” situation with a confederate. In a CQB situation putting your opponent in the “L” or crossfire is the ultimate tactical advantage. It takes more time to write about this experience, than the fractions of seconds of the actual events.

Most people would react by immediately getting to the safety of the car and locking the doors. That never entered my mind. If an assault unfolded, as I could see it beginning, I did not want to be in my truck trying to put it in motion when an aggressor approached my truck, gun in hand: That would put me at the mercy of my attacker(s). With attackers in such close proximity, my weapon would not have served me well especially if two attackers approached from opposite sides of the truck.

To Fight Back

My thought was to engage head-on, outside my vehicle. Chances of survival would be better if I neutralized the threat at a distance. I immediately opened the driver’s door and drew my weapon from the DeSantis Holster that holds the P35 “cocked and locked.” I positioned myself behind the open door, and removed the safety. Gun now held low behind the door in both hands, I started turning my head back and forth between subject number one and in the direction of the dumpster. If there was to be a fight I wanted it on my terms and I wanted as much cover as possible. Immediately Subject Number Two appeared from behind the dumpster, pulling a ski mask over his face as he moved directly toward me. I looked back and forth from Subject One to this new threat. I presented the Hi-Power with the dot of the front sight aligned on the chest of Subject Two. I thought I would engage Subject Two with a double tap and then engage Subject One with two shots and then re-evaluate. I could not see the hands of Subject Two as they were hidden in what appeared to be a large pocket in the front of his sweatshirt. Based on the action of the two of them and the fact that Subject Two now wore a ski mask as he quickly moved toward me, there was no doubt that our lives were in danger.

This was to be a brazen assault for purposes unknown. I feared for our lives. The Browning has a two-stage trigger: I took up the slack and was about to engage. Subject Two was within 10 yards of my protected position when subject Number One screamed “No, No, No.” With that, both subjects whirled and sprinted back toward the dumpster and disappeared. I locked and closed the door to the truck and told my wife “if they come back, shoot them through the window.” I then made a wide arc to the left of the dumpster and observed three men in ski masks and Subject One running into the darkness.

The threat was over and we were lucky to have survived it. In discussing the event with Fort Worth Police and later with their training academy staff, they commented that I had in effect laid an ambush for the four who intended to ambush us.

(The author has extensive tactical experience as an FBI firearms instructor, FBI Sniper, FBI S.W.A.T. team commander, and creator/commander of the FBI’s HRT. He has been involved in hundreds of tactical entries, commanding scores of tactical operations. He has studied tactics and CQB with elite military units worldwide, and has recovered more than 275 hostages.)

Lessons Learned:

1. The ability to arm myself very likely saved my wife and me from great bodily harm or death.

2. Merely being armed will not save you if don’t recognize suspicious situations and position yourself for tactical advantage or escape. Your handgun will deliver suppressive fire: It will not stop bullets from hitting you. If an assailant is able to close to a near position, your weapon becomes useless.

3. In retrospect, I should have retrieved my rifle as I circled the truck: Use a handgun to fight your way to your rifle. The CAR-15 is very compact. It would have been simple to retrieve it, charge it and keep it inconspicuously near my leg. Had things deteriorated into a gun fight, the CAR-15 is an excellent equalizer.

Straws In The Wind:
Clues of an impending assault included:
--Bullet-proof glass protecting the cashier
--Subject One wearing a hooded sweatshirt on a warm evening
--Subject One watching intently as I exited my truck, and continuing to
watch my wife and I throughout
--Subject One maneuvering behind me to put me in a potential cross-fire.
--Subject Two pulling a ski mask over his face and moving briskly toward me (a definitive clue!)

Points to Remember

If possible take any escape route you create. Here, escape was not an option—I hadn’t time to enter my truck and drive away before attacker(s) could close and engage us with weapons.

Carry a large handgun: The Browning is large and intimidating. Subject Two likely did not realize I was armed, but Subject One saw and warned his companion to abort. Armed with an unobserved small handgun, I probably would have been forced to take a human life.

Confronted with any type of a threat, do not assume the attack will come from one direction. Be prepared to respond to multiple threats from at least two.

It is more important to not lose a gunfight, than to win it. Losing means that you are wounded or killed even if you shoot your opponent. You may win the battle and be seriously injured in the process. Avoid the gunfight if possible by escaping. If threatened and a safe avenue of escape is available, take it!

To not lose the gunfight, be alert, maneuver and always take advantage of whatever cover is available to you.

If you decide on a concealed carry permit, carry a substantial handgun in a secure holster. A fanny pack is scant better than leaving your weapon in your car or home. Was my weapon in a fanny pack, I might not have been able to draw it fast enough to be effective. A good holster may save your life.

Do not carry a weapon without taking a state-approved concealed-carry course. You will learn little marksmanship, but much about your legal rights and obligations. If you must defend yourself, you want operate from a strong legal position. You will have much more credibility if your carry is legal.

Practice, practice, practice. You cannot just purchase a weapon, get the appropriate permit and be safe. You must be able to focus your attention on a threat and make good decisions without concerning yourself with the function of your weapon.

Practice should include firing out to 25 yards and more. Although most gun battles occur at seven yards or less, you need skill to defend yourself at longer ranges.

Join the NRA. They want you to have the means to defend yourself.