What is the primary objective during an Active Assailant incident?

The primary objective during an Active Assailant incident is to stop the threat. This focus is critical because the immediate goal is to protect lives and mitigate harm by neutralizing the assailant as quickly as possible. In such high-stress and rapidly evolving situations, ensuring the safety of victims and potential victims is paramount.

Stopping the threat often involves law enforcement officers taking decisive action to confront the assailant directly. This may include tactics that prioritize directly confronting the assailant and preventing any further harm rather than delaying for negotiations or waiting for the situation to settle. Time is of the essence in these scenarios, and immediate intervention can significantly reduce casualties.

While evacuating the area is important and can save lives, the primary focus during the incident itself is on stopping the assailant first, as the longer the assailant remains unchallenged, the greater the risk to innocent lives. Negotiating with the shooter is typically not a viable option in an ongoing active threat situation since it could prolong the danger to victims. Apprehending the shooter is a part of the response but comes only after effectively neutralizing the immediate threat.