With all the shootings in recent years, people are thinking of how they might respond to such an horrific event. Here is some help from law enforcement.  Praying that none of you are ever in a position to have to use this information, but we should think about how to respond.

Law enforcement has identified 5 stages that a mass shooter goes through before he completes the act:

1)   Fantasy stage—He is daydreaming about  the killings, idolizing other shooters, thinking about the news coverage and how he will be remembered.

2)   Planning stage—This is when he decides who and how to kill and may talk about his plans. This is a key step in prevention. If you hear anything that sounds disturbing, report it.

3)   Preparation stage-He gets the weapons and practices using them.

4)   Approach stage—He walks or drives by the targeted area with weapons in hand. If you notice this, call the police or 911 immediately.

5)   Implementation stage—He starts the the action and prevention is too late.

If you are in the area of the shooting, law enforcement recommends you: 

1)   Run and try to escape if that is possible. Several people were able to do this at Virginia Tech and the movie shootings.

2)   Hide, if you can’t run. Be quick and quiet, turn out lights, lock doors, silence phone including vibration. Some people suggest you play dead if you are in sight on the shooter.

3)   Fight and try to disarm and take down the shooter if you are in the line of attack.

I wish we didn’t have to have a blog like this. Praying for the families who have again, lost loved ones.

Source: Washington County Sheriff’s Office