What is the primary goal during an active shooter response?

The primary goal during an active shooter response is to find, confront, and stop deadly behavior or threats. This objective focuses on neutralizing the immediate threat to life, which is critical in situations where an active shooter poses a direct danger to individuals in the vicinity.

Engaging the shooter quickly can minimize casualties and reduce the amount of harm inflicted on potential victims. Law enforcement is trained to prioritize rapid action aimed at addressing the situation as soon as they arrive on the scene to protect innocent lives.

Creating a safe perimeter, gathering intelligence, and locating, isolating, and controlling the situation are important actions but serve primarily as supportive strategies to facilitate the ultimate goal of neutralizing the active threat. These tasks are essential for overall operational tactics, but the urgency of the moment demands a direct approach aimed at stopping the shooter as quickly as possible. That is why the focus on finding, confronting, and stopping the deadly behavior is paramount in an active shooter scenario.