Understanding Active Shooter Statistics & Incident Response Times

Active shooter incidents are a growing concern for schools and workplaces, making it crucial for safety officials, law enforcement, and educators to understand key active shooter statistics surrounding these events. Below you can explore critical data, including active shooter statistics, average incident durations, and law enforcement response times. By raising awareness, we can improve preparedness and help prevent tragic outcomes. 

Active Shooter Statistics 

In recent years, the number of active shooter incidents has risen dramatically. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, which documents incidents where a gun is fired, brandished, or a bullet hits school property, active shooter incidents increased from just 15 in 2010 to 348 in 2023. This trend is mirrored across public spaces like schools, workplaces, and places of worship.  

Of the 229 active shooter incidents recorded by the FBI between 2019 and 2023, the majority occurred in commerce (98 incidents), open spaces (85), government buildings (12), educational settings (12), and healthcare facilities (6). Note: The FBI’s numbers are based on incidents where an individual is actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. 

These active shooter statistics emphasize the urgency of swift response and preparation.

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Average Length of Active Shooter Incidents 

How long do active shooter incidents last?  

Typically, most incidents conclude within 19 minutes, but the first 10 minutes are often the most deadly. During this period, victims are often the first responders. On average, police take 14-15 minutes to arrive at the scene. This delay is why quick, informed decisions are essential for reducing casualties. 

One key active shooter fact is that many of these incidents are spontaneous, and shooters often move quickly through the scene, aiming to cause harm within the shortest amount of time. 

The Role of ALICE Training® in Incident Response 

Given the short window before law enforcement arrives, it’s crucial for those on-site to be prepared. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training empowers individuals to take action during the critical first moments of an active shooter situation. Traditional lockdown methods, while useful, are limited in scope. ALICE provides an options-based strategy that allows people to make decisions based on the situation at hand, increasing their chances of survival. 

ALICE-trained individuals learn how to react effectively, whether by evacuating the scene or by countering the shooter when no other options are available. With over 19 million people trained, ALICE is one of the most widespread and effective active shooter response programs available. By utilizing this training, schools and workplaces can mitigate the risk of high casualties during the first few minutes of an attack. 

Learn more about how a school district in Florida has implemented ALICE throughout their schools.

See how ALICE helped students feel more confident in their ability to respond if they ever become victims of a violent critical incident.

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Why Active Shooter Incidents Often End Within 20 Minutes 

Why do active shooter events end in 20 minutes? There are several factors contributing to the relatively short duration of these events.  

First, the initial actions of civilians—whether they flee, hide, or confront the shooter—can help reduce the number of casualties. Additionally, law enforcement intervention, even if it doesn’t directly stop the shooter, often forces a resolution. Finally, the shooter may exhaust their ammunition or turn their weapon on themselves, ending the incident. 

In many cases, the average police response time to an active shooter is not fast enough to prevent a majority of the harm, which is why early intervention by civilians is critical. The combination of quick action from those on-site and the eventual arrival of law enforcement contributes to most incidents concluding within 20 minutes. 

Importance of Proactive Measures & Training 

The most effective way to prepare for these events is through proactive training, like ALICE. Participants in ALICE Training® report feeling empowered to make life-saving decisions, with many saying the training made them more aware and prepared for emergencies. For example, Kathy Turner from Cleveland Municipal Court said, “ALICE has really brought a lot of value to me personally and within the organizations… made us more self-aware”. 

When people are trained to recognize the signs of danger and act quickly, they can significantly reduce the risk of fatalities during the first few moments of an attack. Empowering staff and students with the skills to respond before law enforcement arrives can save lives. 

Leverage ALICE Training® & Active Shooter Statistics to Save Lives 

Understanding statistics on active shooters and the average length of time for an active shooter incident is critical for anyone involved in school or workplace safety. Most critically, approximately two-thirds of these incidents end before law enforcement arrives, making immediate action by those present even more crucial.  

ALICE Training® provides the tools and knowledge needed to make critical decisions in high-pressure situations. By educating school staff, students, and employees, we can improve safety and aim toward a future with zero incidents. 

ALICE Training® is now part of Protect360, Navigate360’s most complete school safety platform. With Emergency Management, Visitor Management, and Panic Buttons, Protect360 provides the ultimate playbook for emergency preparedness and response—all from ONE trusted partner.