Executive Risk Assessment of Active Shooting at Military Circle Mall - Essay Example

Executive Risk Assessment: Active Shooter at Military Circle Mall Norfolk, Virginia Introduction Active shooting, like the one that took place at the Gallery at Military Circle Mall, sometimes target particular individuals. As argued out by Police Executive Research Forum (2015) active shooters go to location with high concentration such as places of business, shopping centers, churches, theaters as well as schools. Their intentions are in most cases an expression of rage or hatred as opposed to financial gains. In addition, active shooters always make detailed plan for their attack and are often armed. They also fully understand the chosen location. This research paper sought to present executive risk assessment of a fatal shooting that took place at the Gallery at Military Circle Mall. In particular, the paper carefully examined how the Norfolk Police responded to the active shooting that occurred at the mall where one man succumbed to death two days after being shot on the leg. The paper found out that the Norfolk police were adequately prepared, responded to the shooting in good time and provided first aid to the injured man. The paper provide a broad range of recommendations that can be employed by Norfolk police in order to boost their preparedness, response and rescue process in case a similar active shooting happens in the nearest future. Background Profile In February 2014, a shooting took place at the Gallery at Military Circle Mall. The incidence occurred on Friday afternoon at around 1.00 p.m. The shooting was ignited by an argument that took place between several men inside the Military Circle Mall (West, 2014). It was reported that one of the gunmen involved in the argument took out his gun and shot another man on the leg. The injured man, Mr. Nottingham Johnnie, 21, was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and his injury was considered non-life threatening and was later released. Unfortunately, Nottingham Johnnie died from gun injuries two days later. Response, Deployment, Evacuation and Medical Treatment Soon after the police were informed of the shooting, they arrived at the scene of the crime at around 1.10 p.m. but the main suspect had already left. The police positioned themselves at every entrance of the mall in order to reduce more traffic going to the mall. They also closed the nearby street and started searching around the area to look for suspects (West, 2014). The police made sure that there was no any other shooter still roaming the mall. The police apprehended several suspects. In addition, the police conducted photo line-ups and interviewed several witnesses in a bid to figure out what happened. The Norfolk police immediately started a manhunt for the main suspect and after several days of search, the suspect, a 20-year-old Jordan Javonte was finally arrested and taken to custody. He was later charged with use of firearm and felonious assault. Recommendations Incidents of active shooting can occur without warning, and in most cases, they are hurriedly. Typically, active shooting incidences feature unexpected extreme close-in violence. Though planning, exercises and training might help prevent the threat, it is the ultimate actions of the police immediately after the attack that will determine the rate of survival (Kimbrough & Lowe, n.d). In general, police and private security officials as well personnel should consider putting in place the following security measures. Develop an active attack plan. Security agents should designate a committee or person to develop and maintain an active shooting attack plan and then incorporate it into the institution’s preparedness plan. At the same time, the security agent should conduct a realistic security assessment to determine the vulnerability of the institution to an active shooting. Specifically, they should consider the speed at which these attacks might occur. Additionally, multiple escape routes ought to be identified. In particular, the facility should have numerous conspicuous locations for evacuation in case of an active shooting incident. While identifying escape routes, individuals with disabilities must also have their own escape routes (Kimbrough & Lowe, n.d). Shelter locations ought to be identified within the confines of the institution. In this case, areas with thick walls, solid doors and a few windows ought to be identified. A point of contact within the facility should be designated prior to liaise with the police once an active shooting incidence has occurred. Install enhanced security measures When necessary, it is better to consider initiating enhanced security measures. In this case, you might consider implementing control systems of credential-based access to provide accurate attendance reporting, and to limit unauthorized entry. Further, you might need to install a closed-circuit television system that enhances domain awareness of the whole facility plus its perimeter. While installing this system, you must ensure that the video feeds are clearly viewable from the central command system. Establish a communication infrastructure that enhances for facility-wide, instant messaging and provide communication protocols and the means to instruct personnel on instant protective measures (Police Executive Research Forum, 2014. In addition, consider installing elevator systems that might be controlled from a central command center. Finally, consider installing secure locks on all internal and external windows and doors with quick-release potential from within for emergency cases. Implement training and exercise plans. While planning to mitigate any occurrence of an active shooting, ensure that all members or employees are familiar with the current emergency response plans. Employees must be trained on available response options in case there is an active shooting incidence in the facility (Police Executive Research Forum, 2014). Specifically, employees ought to evacuate the facility with immediate effect and should leave all their belongings behind. They should clearly visualize their escape route before finally making the move; and they should refrain from using elevators or escalators when escaping. Nevertheless, if it is not possible to evacuate, hiding should be the best immediate option. In particular, they should hide and lock the door or blockade it with a heavy furniture and then cover all the windows. They should then turn off the lights, silence all electronic devices if any and then lie on the floor silently. Nevertheless, if evacuating or hiding becomes impossible taking action against the attackers should be the last resort in mitigating more casualties. Employees should use surprise and aggression if possible, by throwing objects with force and yelling at the same time. Use immediately available tools such as furniture or any other tool available at the moment. Informed vigilance matters. While all security measures and plans put in place remain to be critical in mitigating active shooting incidences, few countermeasures can be more effective to mitigating these incidences. Based on day-to-day experiences, employees are at a better position to be able to identify suspicious individuals in their working facility. Any behavior that might look suspicious ought to be reported to the relevant authority with immediate effect because it might serve to abort plans that could have led to active shooting incidences. References Kimbrough, S.K., & Lowe, B. (n.d). Mitigating, preventing, responding, and recovering from active shooter incidents. Retrieved 19th June 2015, from, http://conferences.wsu.edu/forms/emergencyprep/presentations12/B1_KemKimbrogh_BillLowe.pdf Police Executive Research Forum. (2014). Critical issues in policing series: The police response to active shooter incidents. Retrieved 19th June 2015, from http://www.policeforum.org/assets/docs/Critical_Issues_Series/the%20police%20response%20to%20active%20shooter%20incidents%202014.pdf West, R. (2014). Arrest made in Gallery at Military Circle mall shooting. Retrieved 19th June, 2015, from http://wavy.com/2014/02/14/shooting-reported-at-mall-in-norfolk/ Read More