While the number of active shooter incidents (defined as one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area) decreased from 2021 to 2022, the number of casualties resulting from such incidents hit its highest point in five years in 2022, according to a recent FBI report. Here are the details of the report and preparedness strategies you can implement to better protect your properties and people on-site against this rising threat.
The FBI’s 2022 annual active shooter report found 50 shootings qualified as “active shooter” incidents last year, down from 61 incidents in 2021. However, the 50 active shooter incidents in 2022 resulted in 313 casualties, which is up from 243 in 2021 and the highest number in the past five years. Casualties included 100 people killed and 213 wounded, not including the shooters. Incidents of self-defense, gang violence, drug violence, domestic disputes, hostage situations and other criminal acts were excluded from the report.
According to the report, Texas had the highest number of incidents at six (including the deadliest incident of the year at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde), and Arizona, Florida, Michigan and New York tied for second with three active shooter incidents each. The July 4 incident in Highland Park, Illinois, saw the most injuries, with 55 people wounded after a shooter opened fire on a parade. Of the 50 incidents, 13 met the federal definition for a mass killing incident, in which at least four people are murdered with a gun.
Business Preparedness Strategies
In 2022, 14 active shooter incidents took place at a business. As such, here are some strategies to safeguard your employees, customers and other applicable parties from these events:
Conduct a threat assessment. Different organizations will possess varying exposures as they pertain to active shooter incidents. Performing a threat assessment can determine the probability of an active shooter incident on-site, identify related vulnerabilities and outline possible consequences.
Implement security protocols. Based on the results from the threat assessment, it may be necessary to implement security protocols—such as video surveillance, alarm systems or security personnel—to help remedy active shooter incident vulnerabilities on-site and deter potential assailants.
Establish a workplace violence prevention policy. Taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence of any kind within the workplace can help prevent dangerous or threatening behaviors from escalating on-site and subsequently limit the risk of active shooter incidents.
Educate employees. In conjunction with the workplace violence prevention policy, your employees should be trained on identifying and reporting potentially dangerous or threatening behaviors among their co-workers, customers and other applicable parties on-site.
Monitor appropriate parties. In addition to having employees do so, you should closely assess any individuals on-site for potentially dangerous or violent behaviors. Any complaints or reports related to these behaviors must be taken seriously. Addressing such behaviors as quickly and safely as possible is essential to prevent escalation.
Overall, it’s evident that organizations need to take steps to prepare for and respond to active shooter incidents. Doing so can help keep employees, customers and other applicable parties as safe as possible and minimize associated losses amid these incidents. For more risk management guidance, including a Workplace Violence Prevention Policy that you can customize for your business, contact us today.
