Active Shooter History

The history of active shooter events is a sobering reminder of how critical preparedness has become in today’s world. Here’s an overview of how the concept has evolved and why active shooter training is more relevant than ever: 

The term “active shooter” is used to describe an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area—typically with a firearm and often with no clear pattern to the selection of victims.

This is different from other types of violence because the incident is still in progress when law enforcement or first responders arrive. The goal is usually to inflict as much harm as possible in a short time, often before help can arrive—making bystander awareness and action absolutely vital.

Why Understanding the History of Active Shootings Matters

Understanding the history shows us that waiting for help is no longer the only plan. Training empowers everyday people—teachers, receptionists, healthcare workers, retail staff, worship teams—to become immediate responders, save lives, and minimize harm.

Preparedness has evolved from a nice-to-have to a non-negotiable life skill.

Time​line ​& Evolution

THE TEXAS TOWER SHOOTINGS - August 1, 1966

Generally accepted as the first active shooter incident, the University of Texas tower shooting was an an act of mass murder which occurred on August 1, 1966, at the University of Texas at Austin. The perpetrator, 25-year-old marine veteran, Charles Whitman, indiscriminately fired at members of the public both within the main building and from the tower's observation deck. He shot and killed 15 people, and injured 31 others.

Police had no plan. They borrowed rifles from citizens. 5 officers and 1 citizen made it to the observation deck where Whitman was shot and killed by two officers approximately 96 minutes after first opening fire from the observation deck.

He had 3 rifles, 3 handguns, 1 shotgun, a machete, 3 knives, food, water, radio, binoculars and more than 700 rounds of ammunition.

COLUMBINE CHANGES HISTORY

The Columbine High School massacre, which occurred on April 20, 1999, left 11 dead and 28 wounded before both subjects, committed suicide. Eric Harris, aged 18, and Dylan Klebold, aged 17, planned the attack for months. On the day of the massacre, they arrived at the school armed with firearms and homemade explosives.

The two gunmen opened fire inside the school, targeting students and faculty members in various locations, including the library, cafeteria, and hallways. They also planted explosive devices throughout the school building, intending to cause mass casualties.

The first officer to engage with gunfire did not finish the fight. He stopped and decided to deploy the training and tactics he was taught. He decided to hold his ground and wait for SWAT.

The Biggest Changes in Law Enforcement After Columbine

Before Columbine, officers were told to secure the area and wait for SWAT. However, the prolonged duration of the Columbine incident and the high number of casualties prompted a reassessment of this approach.

After Columbine, police agencies developed "rapid deployment" tactics, which train officers to:

✅ Enter the building without waiting for backup.

✅ Move quickly toward the threat instead of setting up a perimeter.

✅ Engage the shooter immediately to prevent further loss of life.

This was a major change from past protocols, where police took a defensive stance rather than an offensive one.

Patrol Officers Received Active Shooter Training

Before Columbine, only SWAT teams trained for active shooter scenarios. But in a crisis, SWAT often takes too long to arrive—which is why regular patrol officers needed to be trained, too. 
Today, the first officers on scene are trained to go in immediately, engage the shooter, and neutralize the threat—even if they’re alone.

Now, every officer is taught:

• How to enter a hostile environment safely
• How to work in teams to engage a shooter
• How to move through buildings efficiently
• How to handle high-stress, high-risk situations

This training has been critical in reducing casualties in active shooter events.

Schools and Workplaces Started Active Shooter Drills

After Columbine, schools, businesses, and workplaces realized they needed a plan. Now, institutions across the country hold active shooter drills, teaching people how to:

🔒 Lockdown and secure classrooms

🏃‍♂️ Evacuate quickly when possible

📢 Communicate with law enforcement

📍 Identify safe escape routes

These drills have become as common as fire drills—and in many cases, they have saved lives.

MAJOR ACTIVE SHOOTERS INCIDENTS IN THE US

Aurora, Colorado

• Date: July 20, 2012
• Casualties: 12 killed, 70 injured
• Description: During a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises at the Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, gunman, identified as James Eagan Holmes, entered the theater approximately 20 minutes into the film. Dressed in tactical gear, he set off tear gas grenades and opened fire on the audience. ​

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

• Date: April 16, 2007
• Casualties: 32 killed, 17 injured
• Description: Seung-Hui Cho, a senior at Virginia Tech, conducted two separate attacks on campus, first in a dormitory and later in a classroom building. After the shootings, Cho took his own life. This remains the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut

• Date: December 14, 2012
• Casualties: 27 killed (including 20 children aged 6-7), 2 injured
• Description: Adam Lanza fatally shot his mother at their home before driving to Sandy Hook Elementary, where he killed 20 children and six staff members. Lanza then committed suicide as first responders arrived.

Pulse Nightclub, Orlando, Florida

• Date: June 12, 2016
• Casualties: 49 killed, 53 injured
• Description: Omar Mateen opened fire inside Pulse, a gay nightclub, during Latin Night. After a three-hour standoff, police killed Mateen during a rescue operation.

Las Vegas Strip, Nevada

• Date: October 1, 2017
• Casualties: 60 killed, over 400 injured by gunfire (additional injuries in the ensuing panic)
• Description: Stephen Paddock fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort into a crowd attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival. After the attack, Paddock was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This event is the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in U.S. history.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida

• Date: February 14, 2018
• Casualties: 17 killed, 17 injured
• Description: Former student Nikolas Cruz opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at his former high school. He was apprehended shortly after the attack.

El Paso Walmart, Texas

• Date: August 3, 2019
• Casualties: 23 killed, 23 injured
• Description: Patrick Crusius targeted shoppers at a Walmart, many of whom were Hispanic. He surrendered to police shortly after the shooting.

Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, Texas

• Date: May 24, 2022
• Casualties: 21 killed (including 19 children), 17 injured
• Description: Salvador Ramos shot his grandmother before attacking Robb Elementary School. Law enforcement officers fatally shot Ramos after a delayed response, which drew significant criticism and led to national discussions on police protocols during active shooter situations.

ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENTS ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE USA

Tasmania, Australia April 28–29, 1996

The Port Arthur massacre, which occurred in Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia, resulted in a death toll of 35 people. The gunman, Martin Bryant, carried out a shooting spree at the historic Port Arthur tourist site, targeting tourists and visitors. The massacre was one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australian history and led to significant changes in the country's gun laws and public policy surrounding firearms.

Sanna, Yemen March 30, 1997. 

Armed with an Kalashnikov assault rifle, Mohammad Ahman al-Nazari waited at the school for the headmistress and killed her by shooting her in the head. After which he killed a teacher and three other school attendees, Nazari did this by entering the school building and shooting indiscriminately at teachers and students alike. Subsequently, he went to the nearby Musa Bin Nusayr School, where he continued his shooting rampage. Nazari managed to kill six and wound 11 before he was eventually injured and arrested by police.

Ikeda, Japan June 8, 2001. 

Ex convict, 37 year old, Mamoru Takuma, entered an Elementary school with a knife. He began stabbing school children and teachers at random, killing eight students aged between seven and eight, and seriously wounded thirteen other children and two teachers. Takuma was wrestled into submission by several staff members.

Erfurt, Germany April 27 2002. 

Robert Steinhäuser, an expelled student, returned to his high school with a handgun and a shotgun. He shot and killed 16 people, including 13 staff members, two students, and one policeman before committing suicide. 16 dead, 10 wounded (Most dead were shot in the head).

Norway Attacks July 22, 2011, 

Anders Behring Breivik carried out a series of coordinated attacks in Norway, including a bombing in Oslo and a mass shooting at a youth camp on the island of Utøya. Breivik killed a total of 77 people, making it one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Norway's history.

Peshawar School Massacre December 16, 2014, 

Six gunmen affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacked the Army Public School in Peshawar, Pakistan. The attackers stormed the school, killing 149 people, including 132 children, and injuring many others. It was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Pakistan's history.

Bataclan Theatre Attack November 13, 2015

A group of gunmen affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) attacked the Bataclan Theatre in Paris, France, during a concert, killing 90 people and injuring more than 200 others. The attack was part of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks across Paris that claimed a total of 130 lives.

Las Vegas Strip Shooting October 1, 2017

Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. He fired more than 1,000 rounds, killing 60 people and wounding at least 413. The ensuing panic brought the total number of injured to approximately 867. About an hour later, he was found dead in his room from a self inflicted gunshot wound. It's the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Christchurch Mosque Shootings March 15, 2019, 

A gunman attacked two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, during Friday prayers, killing 51 people and injuring 40 others. The attacker live-streamed the shooting on social media, sparking global outrage and renewed calls for action against extremism and hate speech.

These incidents serve as stark reminders of the devastating impact of active shooter attacks on communities worldwide. They highlight the urgent need for effective measures to prevent such tragedies and mitigate their consequences, including enhanced security measures, intelligence-sharing efforts, and measures to address underlying factors contributing to radicalization and extremism.