Surviving Rampage Shootings
Virginia Tech, Columbine and
Fort Hood
3 Hour Training Class
Instructors:
Walter Philbrick: SWAT Team Leader
Hector Delgado:U.S. Navy SEAL
The shooting rampage and violence in schools, business and churches will continue to dominate the news this year and again next year. On Monday, April 16th a lone gunman kills 33 at Virginia Tech. Last year five are dead at a postal facility in California. Some may call it domestic terrorism, work place violence, but in reality it’s mass murder. Sometimes the killing’s are for headlines or revenge. More often than not, it’s emotionally disturbed individuals or groups carrying out their deepest and darkest fantasy. Many times it’s simply rage. The killer is emotionally angered and snaps. Some killers will plan their raging homicidal shootings and methodically plan the execution of friends, co-workers and fellow students.
Look what Cho did. He sent a package to CBS News, took photographs prior to the execution, chained the doors closed and most important set a standard that someone with more hatred will want to break. That is the record death toll. The next copy cat killer will want to beat the body count of 33 dead. This is an escalating suicidal massacre that really has no boundaries. Now the count to beat is 33 bodies.
Once in motion the killing is brutal. At Virginia Tech. Cho, 23 years old, tested his ability to kill in the morning by killing two people in the dorm. Then he transformed himself into a murderous disciple and kills 30 more and wounds a dozen others. Before the shooting he compared himself to Jesus and states, “I will die like Jesus.”
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In Killeen Texas at Luby’s restaurant the gun man killed 23 and wounded 24. In Melrose Park, Illinois, the shooting lasted eight to twelve minutes. When it was over at Navistar, five dead and four more wounded. Some killers will kill at random while others are methodical. The killer will murder his targets and any additional victims in the near vicinity. These killers read the newspaper and watch TV. They plan their attacks in a copy cat manner of other shooters. It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
Now is the time to prepare for our worst nightmare. In today’s society, history will repeat it’s self again and again so we have to be ready. The time to start planning is now. It’s almost too late once the gunman enters the room and starts the killing. We need to start thinking about survival. What can we do when the armed gunman enters your office building and starts shooting everyone in sight regardless of age, sex or race?
Your goal is to prevent from being shot or killed when the armed gunman storms your church, business, school, or organization and begins shooting. The carnage will be brutal and it will take all the courage and fortitude you have to survive.
In the end you must survive the assault, save lives, neutralize or isolate the armed attacker and minimize death and injury as much as possible.
Profile of a Killer: Possible Warning Signs
Virginia Tech student Cho was a quiet and private person. Were there warning signs that he would ignite and kill 32 people in a college he attended? His mother worried about him and called him often at school. His own sister said, “He struggled to fit in.”
Cho’s room mate who saw him everyday told reporters that he never spoke to him. They never had a conversation in the college dormitory. Cho would come in from his classes and sit in the corner. He also stated, “Cho would never look me in the eye.”
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Cho fired over 170 rounds of ammunition hitting his victims with approximately 100 projectiles. The carnage lasted over nine (9) minutes. He shot every student approximately three (3) times. He used fifteen round magazines and filled them close to capacity. He shot 45 people in Norris Hall and killed 30. He missed 125 times. When he entered the room, survivors stated, “He made no sounds, did not speak to anyone and his facial expression was fix but normal. Cho was out to immortalize himself by having the highest Mass Murder body count. Unfortunately he succeeded.
Red Flags: A Storm (Hurricane) is coming
Much like a hurricane flag warning of an impending storm. Mass murders and other killers put out red flags but many times people fail to see the coming disaster.
Cho may have told others but no one is coming forward and talking about it. He did however send a package to NBC News so he would leave a biographical history to the world. Many times suicide victims, hostage takers and mass murderers will tell others about their plans. Sometimes the information is not direct enough for the receiver to understand the message.
Profile of a Mass Murderer:
- Usually psychotic. They have lost touch with reality.
- Though distortion and reality
- Have grandiose thoughts of themselves
- Depression and Rage
- Suicidal after the killing
- Paranoia and anger at others
- No particular targets after initial shooting
- It’s about the numbers not identity of victims
- Cho was diagnosed as being mentally ill
Stop the Assault Before It Begins
Every college, school, organization, group or any individual is a potential target. From high schools, to Jewish Community Centers to churches and colleges, we all need to protect ourselves from being killed. The shooters will be our students, outraged coworkers, associates or even terrorists.
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Take precautions now. Think like the military and elite counter terrorist teams. Military units use perimeters for safety. Our goal is to stop the threat before he enters your building. Always have a sentry on duty that is keeping an eye on your perimeter. The sentry could be armed with just a cell phone to call the police or he could carry a firearm.
In the shooting at Naristar in Melrose Park, the triggerman in the shootings was William D. Baker. He was a former employee who was fired, arrested and convicted for stealing $195,000 in engines and parts. He arrived at the security gate at 9:45 a.m. on the morning of the carnage carrying a golf bag. Anyone carrying a golf bag into an industrial work area should be an indication that something is wrong. Wouldn’t that raise your suspicions just a little?
What about Virginia Tech. He kills two people unrelated to each other or him. The school does nothing. There should have been a lock down of the entire school until the homicides were solved. The school did absolutely nothing and is accountable for the thirty (30) killed after that.
The key to increased safety is to layer your security. The secret service calls them concentric circles. Your perimeter or area around your building or school has layers of security. Some are thin layers but still provide some protection. The more circles or layers of security you have the tougher it is to penetrate. Each circle of security gives you more protection and makes it more difficult to get to the core or target area. Each layer provides you with space-distance, barricades, time and checkpoints.
If you are at risk or have an observation point rotate this person every 60 minutes to prevent fatigue or boredom. The lookout’s responsibility is to recognize a potential threat, sound the alarm and prevent that threat from entering.
Outer perimeter security and safety can be metal detectors, armed or unarmed security officers, on duty or off duty police officers in uniform, check points for proper identification, club membership, entry cards etc.
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Danger: Trigger Words
Every group, family, school, or organization should have a key word that lets everyone know there is a problem. A word that is distinct when it is stated. When the trigger word is broadcast everyone starts reacting. In hospitals I teach the staff to page Doctor Blue when there is a threat or problem at a specific location. The intercom would state, “Doctor Blue please respond to the front counter area.” Everyone knows there is a problem and where it is at.
Another example of a trigger word would be, “Gun”, “Freeze”, “Weapon.” Now we have one word that identifies what the problem is. When the trigger word is sounded your reactionary plan should begin to take place. Planning is the key to safely reacting to trigger words. Everyone has a responsibility and knows what to do. And don’t forget, always call the police if you perceive a problem or there is a potentially violent person on your property. What does a police officer do in the same situation, he calls for back up. You should do the same.
The best method to keep from becoming a victim is awareness. Prevent the attack before it occurs. Once the assault begins, your primary goal now is survival and to minimize injuries. When the killing is over, the priority is the treatment of the wounded. Listed are some essential elements for staying alive when the attack is in progress and someone is shooting.
Six Elements for Survival
1.Mental Conditioning and Awareness
(Proper mental mindset)
When the assault begins you have to be mentally prepared to take action.
Any hesitation on your part or your staff could be deadly. Everyone mustimmediately click into high gear and start making decisions that will ensure their survival.
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When the shooting starts it’s not the time to hide in a corner and say, “I
don’t believe this is happening.” It is happening and it’s real. If you don’t
take immediate action you could be killed. When the gunman enters your building and starts shooting, you have to say to yourself, “I knew this was going to happen and I am prepared for this. That gets you in a positive action mode.
You must mentally prepare yourself today for this life threatening occurrence. Any delay in your reaction time could be costly. Every second counts. Your next decision could determine if you live or die.
There are ways to practice mental preparation. One method is to play “what if” games. This prepares you mentally to take action, the next time you are in a Post Office, church, supermarket or library say to yourself, “What if it happens right now, what would I do? A gunman has just entered the restaurant and has started shooting people. Do I finish this cup of coffee or do I move for cover?
Visually play the scenario in your mind. Create and execute the mental plan as if it is happening now. Visualize yourself taking actions that will insure your survival. Visualization and mental preparation are essential for survival.
2.Have a Plan (Decision Making)
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”You must have a plan. When the killing begins any plan is better than no plan. Keep the plan simple so everyone will remember what to do. Some suggestions:
2.1 Designate a locker stocked with Pepper spray, ballistic vests, radios, batons, stun guns, or even firearms.
2.2Have a planned escape or evacuation route. Also have a secondary exit in
the event the shooter is in that area.
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2.3Designate a safe room. This room will have a phone, metal doors that are secured from the inside and possibly the weapons locker. This room is where everyone will go in the event of a shooting.
2.4The survivors at Virginia were saved due to the training of an eagle scout.
He took control, formalized a plan (Barricade doors with tables and bodies laying on the floor) and started evacuation out the window. My God the guy is a hero. He must have saved ten to fifteen lives.
2.5Practice exiting your building. Practice locking doors upon your
retreat. Prior to locking the doors make sure the room is empty. A locked door could prevent the shooter from entering your room or at least slow him down until help arrives. Treat this as a fire drill. Call it an emergency exit drill. But do it.
Next training phase: Exit the building faster. Have the children hold hands to coordinate the exit.
2.6Designate duties and individual responsibilities. Who calls the police,
activate the fire alarm, get the kids to the safe room etc.) and assign a
secondary person in the event the primary person has been killed.
2.7 Practice locking down your room or area. After locking the door practice exiting the room or hiding behind objects that will stop or slow down bullets.
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2.8 Look around for environmental weapons. A weapon could be anything
such as a fire extinguisher, sharp glass, a flag pole, chairs etc. What can
you barricade the door with? What can I distract him with? What can I
hurt him with? What can I stop or distract him with?
2.9 Write a policy to deal with Active Shooters in your building.
If you can keep the gunman out of your room you will survive.
3.Reactionary Moves (Surprise and Speed)
Your immediate reactions to the shots being fired is going to save your life. What ever you do, do it now. Do it as fast as you can and this will surprise the shooter. Be tactical, for example, turn the lights out. You know how to get around your building in the dark but the gunman may not.
You do not have time to think. Your reactions must be instinctive and immediate. Every second he gets closer. The shots are louder now and you are next. Do something!
4.Personal Skills (Weapons and Self Defense Training)
Everyone should learn basic survival skills. If you possess a concealed weapons license and you are carrying your gun, can you shoot on the move? Can you shoot from a prone position, with one hand, or while retreating?
These basic shooting techniques could save lives during an incident.
Learn some basic self defense and weapons defense. Gun and
knife defenses could be useful during a close quarter combat situation.
Learn about guns. You don’t have to carry a gun or purchase one but everyone should learn the basics on how a firearm functions. This simple knowledge could save your life.
For example, It’s important to know when a firearm is empty. If you recognize that the shooters gun is empty (slide locks back) this is your one chance for survival. Move or attack while he is reloading.
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5.Physical Fitness and Strength (Cardio Vascular and Strength)
It always helps to be in peak physical performance. You will be under
extreme stress during a shooting spree or mass shooting. The better shape
you are in both cardiovascular and strength will assist you in your decision making abilities and ability to fight or flee.
Decision; Can I make it out of the cafeteria, down the stairs and out the rear
fire doors before the gunman shoots me? Will I be too physically exhausted? Am I emotionally ready to react to the shooter. Can I physically withstand the challenge? The better shape you are in the better your chances are for survival.
6.Equipment (Maintenance and Possession)
Someone should be assigned the task of equipmentneeds.
Keys to exit doors, entry doors, the safe room and the weapons locker.
If you are assigned to a post watching the front door then you must carry
your equipment e.g., firearm, OC pepper spray, mobile phone, whistle etc.
For example, OC Pepper spray if sprayed in the face of a gunman has over a 95% chance of immobilizing him. The pepper from the spray will blind the shooter for a minimum of twenty minutes. I would recommend a 2-ounce spray with a combination of OC Pepper and CS gas. So you don’t have to carry a gun to defend yourself. A potent pepper spray will blind the shooter. At least now you have a chance for survival. What did you have before?
Aerosol OC pepper can also be used for an entire room. A container much like a bug spray is initiated and will make entry into that room impossible. If the shooter enters the room and has difficulty breathing and can’t see he will exit immediately. Meanwhile you have already left the room through another door.
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Recommendations For Survival
1.Of the initial assault, many victims have stated, “I didn’t think it was real.” Or “I thought it was construction next door.” It doesn’t matter, react anyway. Get out, get your family out, take cover or start to move to an exit. If it’s just firecrackers or a loud backfire from a truck it will have been good practice.
2.The killing has started and you hear screams associated with gun shots. That is always a bad combination. Gather information immediately. Everything you see and hear is important. How many shots are being fired, how many shooters are there, what kind of firearms or weapons, direction of the attack, how far away is the shooter, are the shots the same sound (shotgun, handgun, rifle), rapid fire or single fire, and who is he targeting.