Surviving a Hostage Situationin a Classroom Environment

Andrew TaylorSafety and Loss Control DirectorMississippi Institutions of Higher Learning

Threat Assessment

April 16, 2007: A gunman kills 32 people in a dorm and a classroom at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. The gunman later dies.

1991…5 + 1 (2)…University of Iowa 1996…3………….San Diego State 2000…1 + 1……..University of Arkansas 2002…3 + 1……..University of Arizona 2002…3 (2)……..Appalachian School of Law 2006…3…………Shepherd University

Closer to Home…

16 year old Pearl High School student stabs mother to death before school.

Shoots nine students, killing two. Two accomplices were involved in plan.

Pearl High School generates many of our incoming freshmen students.

Threat Assessment

There are 28 active Hate Groups located in Mississippi.

Southern Poverty Law Center 7/2007

Hostage Taker vs. Active Shooter Hostage Taker

Captures hostages to use as “brokering chips” for: Money Politics Revenge Personal gain or safety

Active Shooter Kills victims

To “make a statement”, for their “cause” To destroy a target

Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 1) Capture Phase:

From this… …to this

Phases of a Hostage Situation Capture Phase

Most dangerous phase Intruder is trying to take control Often chaotic and violent Often best chance to escape

Must assess intent rapidly Hostage Taker or Killer

Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 1) Capture Phase

If you discern the intruder’s goal is to detain people or take control of your facility for negotiation purposes, remain calm!!!!

If the intruder is actively using a weapon to kill people, you must either “get out” or “take out”! You have a third choice of staying still / playing dead /

doing nothing. Being shot in place is no safer than attempting to get out or take out, in this situation.

Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 1) Capture Phase (if killing is intruder’s intent)

Get out – escape any way possible. Use whatever exit is available and run until you are safe.

Take out – disarm and disable the intruder(s) as quickly as possible with as much force as needed. Consider that victims outnumber intruders…swarm Victims can disrupt focus and time frame…moving targets Don’t allow time for reloading or changing weapons "The fact that someone walks into a classroom with a gun does not make

them a god. Five or six seventh-grade kids and a 95-pound art teacher can basically challenge, bring down and immobilize a 200-pound man with a gun.“ Robin Browne, Response Options

Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 2) Internment Phase

Could last a few hours or a few weeks Negotiations take place, hostage takers are busy Employ the “3 C’s”:

Calm…calm hostages lead to calm hostage takers. Connect…gain their trust and respect as a person,

not a brokering chip. Build rapport. Capitalize…on escape or rescue opportunities.

Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 3) Resolution Phase

80% of hostages worldwide survive their ordeal Only 3% are killed after kidnap

Resolutions typically happen in one of three ways:

Negotiated Release Armed Rescue Escape

Negotiated Release

Requires time and patience for negotiations Usually is the safest option

Armed Rescue

Rescuers must be able to tell hostages from hostage takers Follow instructions such as “lie down, keep still, identify

yourself” Make sure rescuers can see your empty hands If unsure what to do – stay low

Escape

Most risky option Must weigh against the risk of not escaping You are betting with your life

Capture Phase

If Killer(Active Shooter)

Get outOr

Take Out

If Hostage Taker

Internment Phase

Resolution Phase

Calm – Connect - Capitalize

Negotiated Release

Armed Rescue

Escape

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