An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Often, they have no regard for their own safety or capture. Active shooters pose an immediate risk of death or serious injury to anyone in the vicinity. They are often on the move and will accept random victims of opportunity while searching for intended victims or until stopped by law enforcement, suicide, or other intervention.
Responding Marine Corps Security Force and Law Enforcement personnel will act swiftly with a primary duty to protect innocent life by focusing their efforts on finding and neutralizing the active shooter(s). However, because most incidents last only 10 to 15 minutes, individuals at the scene must be prepared to deal with the situation until law enforcement personnel arrive.
141120-M-XX123-001 Photo By: Lance Cpl. Isaac Ibarra