© The Aerospace Corporation 2012

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE &

THE ACTIVE SHOOTER

Security and Safety Directorate

Bob Simoneau Government Security and Investigations Dept. robert.a.simoneau@aero.org 310 336-5382

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Purpose of Presentation Solvability and Survivability

• To increase your awareness and understanding of

Workplace Violence situations.

• To prescribe actions to take in the event of an Active

Shooter incident near you.

• This information is not only applicable in your work

environment but also most anywhere you may be.

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VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

Signs, Symptoms and Remedies

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

• Younger than 40

• Lacks Social Skills

• Tends to be the Victim of

Teasing

• Does Not Take Criticism Well

• Blames Others

• Threatens

• Emotional Outbursts

• Conflict with Co-Workers

• Depression

• Aggressive, Explosive Behavior

• Violates Safety Guidelines

• Does Not Accept Responsibility

• Paranoid

• Interest in Guns / Weapons

Trends and Profile of Aggressors

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE Potential Precipitators of Violent Acts

• Hostile Conflict at Work or Home

• Financial Difficulties

• Legal Problems

• Domestic Problems

• Currently Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

• A Poor Performance Evaluation

• Disciplinary Action or Job Termination

• Involuntary Job Changes – Different Roles, Responsibilities or

Work Groups

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE Consideration of Lethality … Red Flags

• Current High Level of Distress

• Threats of Homicide or Suicide

• Fantasies of Homicide or Suicide

• Weapons : Use, Threat of Use or Recent Acquisition

• Obsessiveness

• Substance Abuse

• Pet / Animal Abuse

• Access to Victim(s)

• History of Violence Against Others

• History of Being Abused or Neglected

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

• Approach Determines

Response

• Posture

• Thoughts Control Emotions

• Problem Solving Attitude

• Seek to Understand

• Self – Control

• Remain Calm

• Stay in the Present Tense

• Communication

• Voice Quality

• Reduce Spectators

• Use Team Work

• Be Prepared

Defusing Techniques

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The Active Shooter

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Definition of an Active Shooter

• An armed person who has or is about to use deadly

force on others and continues to do so while having

unrestricted access to additional victims.

• Active Shooters have caused a paradigm shift in law

enforcement training and tactics, especially as

these persons do not necessarily expect to escape

or even survive these situations.

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Active Shooters Cho Seung-Hui, VA Tech / Scott Dekraai, Seal Beach CA

Cannot be profiled with regard to age, ethnicity, occupation or other attributes.

(

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Incidents by Location Type 1966-2010

• Location Type Number of Incidents Percentage

• School 64 29%

• Office Building 29 13%

• Open Commercial 52 23%

• Factory/Warehouse 30 13%

• Other 49 22%

• Total 224* 100%

* The 202 cases in the active shooter data set occurred at 224

locations because several attacks involved more than one location.

Source: NYPD Active Shooter 2011

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Active Shooter Facts Reviews of 224 Active Shooter Incidents ,1966-2010

• 98% acted alone

• 90% commit suicide, usually on site

• 80% use a long gun (rifle, shotgun or carbine)

• 75% bring multiple weapons, sometimes with hundreds of rounds of

ammunition

• The shooters are preoccupied with obtaining a high body count

before police intervention

• Increasingly, they are wearing body armor

• They almost never take hostages and do not negotiate

• They are dynamic and quick, finishing their attack in an average of

8 minutes • Source: NYPD Active Shooter 2011

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Vulnerabilities Factors that can make us vulnerable here

• Inability to predict events

• Workforce complacency (the theory of exemption)

• Pre-incident behavior exists but warning signs are disregarded

• High population density in many facilities

• Unaware of escape routes you can use other than for a fire

• Unaware of protective cover that you can use

• Unfamiliar with areas that can be secured

o Offices with doors

o Conference rooms

o Janitors closets

• Inability to make decisions when you experience fear, panic, or

shock

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Aerospace / Organizational Protective Measures Employer actions

Fence Line Perimeter

Lobby entry control points staffed by security (limited access)

Camera surveillance systems

Security response force

100% ID checks

Lockdown ability

SCIF Vaults

Giant Voice PA System

Fast police response (1-4 minutes for “Hot” calls)

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Individual Protective Measures If you are inside a building

• If possible to do so safely, exit the building or area immediately

moving away from the path of danger and take the following steps:

– Notify anyone you encounter to exit the area immediately

– Do NOT activate a fire alarm

• If you cannot safely exit, secure your immediate area and take

protective cover.

– Lock the door if you can

– Turn off the lights

– Barricade the area if possible (desks, file cabinets, furniture)

– Keep quiet and stay away from windows

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Individual Protective Measures If you are inside (part 2)

• Call 911 or your designated emergency number and stay on the

line to provide details of:

– Your exact location, description of suspect, weapons, injuries, etc.

• Stay calm and assure others that steps are being taken to protect

them.

• As a last resort if confronted by the shooter you may make the

decision to fight back.

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Individual Protective Measures If you are caught outside in the open

• Seek Cover and Concealment

Use whatever is available to obscure you from the shooter, walls,

trees, poles, buildings, fencing, containers, etc.

• Hide Behind Something Capable of Stopping a Bullet

Masonry or brick wall, engine block of a car, etc.

• Run – If Safe

Do not run in a straight line

• Summon Help When Safe To Do So

• Fight - As a Last Option

Use any object to disable the shooter

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If Shooter is Outside of Your Building……

• Lock doors and windows, close curtains / shades

• Lay down on floor or crouch below window line

• Dial 911 or your designated emergency number – Give location,

incident details and follow directions

• If safe to do so – move to a central secure area

• Stay in place until an “All Clear” signal is issued

• Follow all directions of Police / Security Personnel

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If a Shooter is Inside Your Building…… Danger Close

• If it is safe to do so, flee from the building

• Dial 911 or your designated emergency number, give your location,

incident details and follow directions

• DO NOT pull the fire alarm

• Lock and barricade your door, stay low, remain silent

• Stay in place until an “All Clear” is given by a recognized authority

• Follow directions of Police / Security personnel

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If a Shooter comes into your room or office………. Critical Decision Time…..

• Immediately make a decision to, run, take cover or fight – consider

your safety first.

• As a last resort, fight the shooter. Remember that your last resort

may be your only resort. Rush with available people, throw things

or use improvised weapons to take the shooter to the ground.

• When safe to do so dial 911 or your designated emergency number.

Give your location and the situation details and follow directions.

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Fear Factor……. Fear is your own worst enemy

Sensory exclusion / distortion

Time distortion

Heightened sensory response

Panic

Fainting

Loss of bladder /bowel control

Loss of fine motor skills

Loss of gross motor skills

Loss of near vision

Scared stiff

Scared speechless

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What you can do to overcome fear………

Instinct and nature will work against

you. As your heart rate increases

your control will decrease.

There are two subconscious body

functions that can be consciously

controlled: blinking and breathing.

Breathing is tied to almost every

body function.

Slow your breathing and everything

else will be more manageable. Four

deep 4 count breaths will slow your

heart rate, lower your stress level

and bring your body back under

some degree of control.

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Upon Arrival of Police / Law Enforcement

• Drop Anything in Your Hands,

Purses, Back Packs, etc.

• Keep Hands in View

• Raise Hands and Spread

Fingers

• Do Not Make Any Sudden

Movements

• Comply With All Instructions

of Law Enforcement

• Wait for “All Clear” Signal

From Law Enforcement

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Review……………

Events are unpredictable.

Attacks can be carefully planned with specific targets.

Be prepared and consider now what actions you would need to

take.

Report suspicious activity and/or behavior.

Concerns - Report to a manager

Direct threat - Call 911 or your designated emergency number

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Guidelines Individual responsibilities

• How you respond to an Active Shooter will be dictated by the

specific circumstances of the encounter, bearing in mind there

could be more than one shooter involved in the same incident.

• If you find yourself involved in an actual shooter situation, try to

remain calm and use these guidelines to help YOU plan a strategy

for survival.

HAVE A PLAN !!!

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In Closing…..Remember your options You must decide these based upon your own assessment

• FLEE…Run from the area of the shooter IF it

is safe to do so.

• HIDE… If you can get to a safe and secure

location

• FIGHT…As a last option using anything you

can as a weapon

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Information contained in this presentation was

derived from the following sources:

• NYPD

• FBI

• Redstone Arsenal

• Federal Bureau of Labor

• Columbine High School

• Santa Monica College

• US Secret Service

• Norwich University

• University of Florida

• Orange County Register

• New York Times

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Thank you…….. Questions please