Active Aggressor

An Active Aggressor is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active aggressors use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active aggressor situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active aggressor situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active aggressor situation. You must quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your life and the life of students.

Olentangy Schools has a safety plan in place for each school building that addresses the district’s active aggressor protocol. This plan is practiced multiple times throughout the school year in conjunction with the Delaware County Sheriff’s office to insure the plan protocol is practiced accurately.

Good practices for coping with an active aggressor situation:

• Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers
• Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit; if you can evacuate the building, do so.
• If you are unable to evacuate and are in an office or classroom, stay there and secure the door by locking and barricading
• If you are in a hallway, evacuate if possible or get into a room and secure the door by locking and barricading
• As a last resort, attempt to take the active aggressor down. When the aggressor is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.