Overview: Newtown, CT Active Shooter
MSA Security is offering schools FREE Threat & Risk Assessments and suggesting schools engage in Active Shooter Response Training as details continue to emerge regarding the timeline of events of the mass shooting in Newtown, CT on Friday morning. Authorities have determined that 20-year old Adam Lanza shot his mother as she slept in her bedroom at their family home before using her car to drive to Sandy Hook Elementary School. Upon arrival at the school at around 9:30am, he shot his way through a school door while dressed in black fatigues and a military-style vest. Lanza opened fire once inside the school and entered two separate classrooms. He shot and killed 26 people inside the school, including 20 children and 6 adults. Authorities report Lanza shot himself as police neared during the second classroom episode, about 10 minutes into the attack.
All of the weapons used in the shooting were reportedly registered to Adam Lanza’s mother, Nancy Lanza, who collected them as a hobby. Federal agents stated that Adam had fired guns at shooting ranges over the past several years, but there is no indication that he had been shooting in the past six months or that he had been training for this attack. On Friday, Adam Lanza carried a Bushmaster AR-15, two handguns, and hundreds of bullets in multiple high-capacity magazines, suggesting that he was planning an even more horrific attack. There are reports that he had a fourth weapon, a shotgun, in his car outside the school. He fired with the Bushmaster AR-15 through the entire attack in the school and used a handgun to take his own life. All victims were shot multiple times.
The motive for the attack remains unknown at this time, as is the case with many active shooter scenarios. MSA Security's Active Shooter Response Training offers organizations an opportunity to prepare themselves for these unlikely, though dangerous, events. There are reports that Adam Lanza had been diagnosed with Asperger’s, a mild form of autism and was not taking any medication. Investigators have not been able to retrieve any data from the computer taken from Adam Lanza’s home as it appears that he smashed the computer and extensively damaged the hard drive.
Implications
As details emerge, there are indications that Adam Lanza undertook considerable preparations before the attack, such as stockpiling ammunition and smashing computers to possibly conceal evidence of search history. The elements of planning are similar to other recent active shooter scenarios. Further evidence of “benchmarking” seems to exist here as this shooter wore military style close (though not body armor), used multiple weapons for the attack and seemed to be attempting maximum casualties.
While it is difficult to predict when or where a copycat or benchmark attack may occur, a New Age myth is swirling this week which may add a complicating factor. There are rumors that the Mayan calendar will reach an end to a major cycle which will equate to the end of time or the destruction of the planet. While this is widely refuted by scientists, and even Mayan historians and scholars, it has led to a number of doomsday cult activities and unusual behaviors in some who fear the end of the world this Friday, December 21, 2012. NASA, having received thousands of inquiries, including some from people contemplating suicide, felt compelled to dispel the negative concerns about this event in a press release November.
Apocalyptic rumors have some people so disturbed that they've quit their jobs, entered on spending sprees, donated large sums to charity and devoted the rest of their time on Earth to awaiting the end. One man in China built an ark to survive any danger and a man in Texas carved a pentagram on his son’s back in advance of the “holy day.” Cult members are flocking to tiny town of Bugarach, France, praying aliens will emerge from the nearby summit of the Pic de Bugarach Mountain on Dec. 21 and save them from the Armageddon. In China, doomsday ideas were planted when the 3-D version of the 2009 Hollywood disaster film "2012" hit theaters last month, according to Asia Times.
While this issue is considered an interesting factoid, at most, by the media and most observers, it may lead to heightened agitation in a small number of mentally disturbed individuals leading to self or interpersonal harm. Additionally, there has been a recent uptick in bomb threats as well as suspect activity on social media. People are utilizing Twitter to post rants and outbursts. We are starting to see disturbed people make related threats such as a threat to a church in Newtown after the incident. While these rarely lead to violent acts, they may point to a need for heightened vigilance in the near-term.
To learn more about MSA Security's FREE Thread & Risk Assessments, Contact Us Today!
