April 1, 2013 John Marrs

Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria CA

About Project Guardian

Formed after Sandy Hook shooting Professionals from various disciplines

committed to protecting our nation’s children

Addressing various issues involved (i.e., culture, training, physical security)

Providing unified & direct training for school staff, parents and children

About Project Guardian

About Project Guardian

Project Guardian is a group of dedicated professionals who volunteer their time and expertise for the safety and security of our nation’s schools.

Members of the project come from law enforcement, military, mental health and academic backgrounds. The project provides consulting, training, and legislative action to address modern issues that pose a threat to the safe learning environment of our children. 

Mission Statement

Issues Involved

1) Politics – e.g., pro-gun vs. anti-gun2) Mental health issues3) Violent video games4) Physical security of school5) Lack of preparedness & training6) Mindset

Issues Involved

Time for action

Need a national, unified & cohesive strategy

Need to be speaking the same language

Two-Phase Plan1. What we can do TODAY2. Ideal future state with roadmap (five-

year vision) Seek private funding Seek grant money

Time for Action

Phase 1: What can we do now? Active shooter response training for

school staff & students Assess physical security of school

grounds Develop response & coordination

plan with local law enforcement

Phase 1: What we can do TODAY

Phase 2: What can be done in the future?

Teachers/staff trained in active shooter response

Training for students (tailored for age groups)

Implement physical security measures Legislation changes Teachers/staff as concealed carry permit

holders Private funding Grant money

Phase 2: The Future

“TEXAS TOWER SNIPER” Aug. 1, 1966 University of Texas at

Austin Charles Whitman, 25 years old,

climbed clock tower heavily armed 17 killed and 32 wounded Killed by Austin Police Officer Houston McCoy Lasted 1 hour 36 minutes

History of Active Shooter Incidents

History of Active Shooter incidents

“MCDONALDS MASSACRE” July 18, 1984 McDonalds in San Ysidro, CA James Huberty, 41 years old, walked into

restaurant and opened fire 21 killed and 19 wounded Killed by San Ysidro Police

Sniper Chuck Foster Lasted 77 minutes

Mission StatementHistory of Active Shooter Incidents

History of Active Shooter incidents

“LUBYS MASSACRE” October 16 1991, Luby’s Restaurant in

Killen, Texas George Hennard, 35 years old, crashed his

truck through window and opened fire. 23 killed and 20 wounded Committed suicide after

being engaged by police Lasted 16 minutes

History of Active Shooter Incidents

History of Active Shooter incidents

“COLUMBINE MASSACRE” April 20, 1999, Columbine HS Littleton, CO Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold set several

bombs and shot students and staff 13 killed and 21 wounded Committed suicide as

SWAT team moved in. Lasted 49 minutes

History of Active Shooter Incidents

History of Active Shooter incidents

“VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE” April 16 2007, Virginia Tech U, Blacksburg,

VA Seung-Hui Cho, 23 years old, Barricaded

doors and shot fellow students 32 killed and 17 wounded Committed suicide as

police approached Lasted 2 hours 36 minutes

History of Active Shooter Incidents

History of Active Shooter incidents

“CENTURY CINEMA SHOOTING” July 20, 2012, theatre in Aurora, CO James Holmes gassed and shot people in

theatre. 12 killed and 58 wounded Fled as police arrived; arrested

near car outside theatre Lasted 7 minutes

History of Active Shooter Incidents

History of Active Shooter incidents

“SANDY HOOK” Dec. 14, 2012 Sandy Hook

Elementary School, Newton, CT Adam Lanza, 20 years old, forced

entry to the school and shot children 26 killed and 2 wounded Committed suicide when police arrived Lasted 7 minutes

History of Active Shooter Incidents

Lesser known school shootings 2/2/96 Frontier MS, Moses Lake, WA: 14 yo killed

3 before being subdued by coach 10/1/97 Pearl HS, Pearl, MS: 16 yo killed 2 before

being stopped by Assist. Principal with .45 pistol 5/21/98 Thurston HS, Springfield, OR: 15 yo killed

2 before being subdued by other students. 12/6/99 Fort Gibson MS, Fort Gibson, OK: 13 yo

shot 4 (zero deaths) before being tackled by teacher

3/7/01 Bishop Neumann HS, Williamsport, PA: 14 yo shot 1 (zero deaths) was overpowered by teacher.

Lesser Known Incidents

What can we learn from past cases?

Every time the shooter met an opposing force the killing of innocent people stopped

When stopped by police (vs. someone at scene when incident starts) an average of 12.1 people are killed **

When stopped by people on scene an average of 1.08 people are killed **

** Study of 20 active shooter cases at schools 1996-2013

Lessons Learned

Active Shooter PreventionINDICATORS Strange behavior of students (e.g.,

withdrawn, aggressive, overly cheerful) Unfamiliar/out of place people (watch

for demeaner, whole body, hands, waistline)

Bulky clothing or clothing that does not match the weather

Unusual activity of any kind

Active Shooter Prevention

Being aware Awareness

Color Codes of Awareness

WHITERelaxedUnaware

Unprepared

YELLOWRelaxed

Alert(Non-

specific)

ORANGE(Specific)

REDFight!

(Mental Trigger)

Active shooter response

ESCAPE: If possible, escape the location completely HIDE: If unable to escape, hide BARRICADE: secure area, turn off lights, find

concealment and cover REPORT: If able to do so safely, report immediately ARM: Arm with improvised weapons (ideally CCW) FIGHT: If shooter enters area, launch violent attack

Always question out of place people or studentsIf possible, distract shooter away from students

Possible Respone

Understanding conflict

OODA LOOP

Observe Orient Decide Act

Important to stress inoculate so you don’t freeze and can act quickly

Decision-Making

THANK YOU!www.Facebook.com/ProjectGuardianJohn Marrs: STRfirearms@gmail.comKaren Bartuch: womenstactical@sbcglobal.net

“All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men [and women] to do nothing.”