How does a true Active Assailant differ from a Barricaded Subject?

The distinction between a true Active Assailant and a Barricaded Subject primarily revolves around the intent and actions regarding harm to individuals. An Active Assailant refers to someone who is actively engaged in a violent situation with the intent to cause harm or take lives. This individual is actively targeting victims, often in a public or populated space, and their actions pose an immediate threat to safety and require urgent police intervention.

In contrast, a Barricaded Subject typically refers to an individual who may have committed a crime but is no longer actively engaging in violence. This person has taken a position of defense, often barricading themselves in a location, which may suggest they are avoiding further confrontation or are involved in a standoff situation, but not actively harming others at that moment. Understanding this distinction is critical for law enforcement and response strategies, as the approach to each scenario significantly differs based on the level of threat presented to the public.