Active shooter. Contact initiative

aditalmor
Oct 3, 2022
4 min read

Updated: 7 hours ago

Active shooter. In recent years, the term active shooter has become disturbingly common in the media. We frequently hear about tragic mass shootings, the failures in stopping them, and public criticism of law enforcement responses. At the same time, there are cases where armed civilians have successfully intervened and saved lives. Yet, despite those successes, it is the tragedies that dominate public attention.

However, it’s important to understand that not every incident involving a firearm qualifies as an active shooter event. Not every terrorist attack fits the active shooter model. Effective tactical response must be based on the behavior and intent of the attacker. Here's why.

What Defines an Active Shooter?

An active shooter may be a lone individual or a group of attackers working together. Their intent is to continuously seek out and kill as many victims as possible. They move through different areas in search of new targets and do not stop until they are physically prevented from continuing.

As long as the attacker is actively seeking and harming people, the situation is classified as an active shooter incident. The only way to stop the threat and protect potential victims is to neutralize the attacker. Delays in confronting or stopping the shooter will almost certainly result in additional casualties—either new victims or wounded individuals who might die from their injuries.

Such attacks may be carried out using firearms, grenades, knives, or other weapons. If the attacker only possesses a suicide vest with no other weapon, it is a suicide bomber scenario, not an active shooter.

When Does an Active Shooter Stop?

An active shooter stops when they are either neutralized or when they choose to stop. Some attackers, often driven by psychological impulses, may lose momentum over time. They may remain in a location—like a classroom with injured victims—but cease actively killing. At that point, their mental drive may be temporarily “satisfied,” and they pause, awaiting death by police, gathering the courage to commit suicide, or deciding what to do next.

When security forces arrive, the attacker may choose to escape or barricade themselves. In these cases, it becomes a barricaded suspect or hostage situation. If gunfire resumes during this phase, it transitions back into an active shooter scenario.

The distinction is relatively clear:

If you hear violence (gunfire, screams), it’s an active shooter.
If it’s quiet, it’s a barricade or hostage situation.

Hostage and Barricaded Suspect Response

In hostage or barricaded suspect incidents, the recommended solution is to wait for a specialized tactical unit. These units are trained and equipped to handle complex hostage rescue operations. Usually, these teams are deployed after the active killing phase is over.

However, if gunfire resumes while the unit is preparing, the situation reverts to an active shooter case. At that point, the team may switch to a more aggressive approach, depending on real-time developments.

Responding to an Active Shooter

In contrast to hostage situations, active shooter response must be immediate. First responders—whether law enforcement or civilians—are typically the ones to intervene. In Israel, the expectation from police is to eliminate the threat as quickly as possible, even if it puts them at risk. The priority is to stop the killing and save innocent lives.

This Israeli tactical doctrine differs from that of some European or American responses. The core principles include:

Immediate physical contact with the attacker at maximum speed.
High accountability for every bullet fired—collateral damage is unacceptable.

Sometimes, this aggressive approach results in police casualties. However, data shows that law enforcement officers in other countries still suffer higher casualty rates, despite slower or more cautious tactics. In Israel, the majority of police responses are highly effective.

(in this video: Motorcycle fast response unit respond to active shooter, the driver (officer, Amir Huri, was shoot, collapsed and died in the scene, minutes after the shooting) Recognizing the Situation: Noise = Shooter

The key point is to identify the nature of the incident:

If there is noise and active harm, it's an active shooter, and a fast, direct response is required.
If the situation is quiet, it is likely a hostage or barricaded suspect scenario, requiring different tactics and specialized forces.

Watch timeline 2:33- officer shooting blindly in the general direction of attacker, and from 5:41 the closed door riddled with bullet holes- Shooting at a closed door without line of sight at the attacker Tactical Response in Action

Fast and decisive responses have come from:

Civilians with legal firearms,
Regular police officers,
Rapid response units,
And specialized security agents stationed at high-risk sites (e.g., airports).

A powerful example comes from helmet-cam footage of a police officer responding to a terror attack in a Jerusalem synagogue. Upon arrival, he enters the building alone, actively searching for remaining threats. He does not wait for backup—he immediately implements the contact initiative, a core principle of Israel’s active shooter response doctrine. Origins of the Contact Initiative Doctrine

This proactive doctrine was established in the early 1970s. It was first implemented by El Al, Israel’s national airline, and various government security services. Over time, it was adopted by Israeli police and has gradually influenced civilian society.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between an active shooter, a barricaded suspect, and a hostage scenario is essential for effective tactical response. The speed and precision of intervention often mean the difference between life and death.

This approach is at the core of Israeli tactical training and has proven its value in countless real-world incidents.

Ready to Respond Like a Pro?

At Israeli Tactical School Germany, we provide real-world tactical training based on proven Israeli security doctrines. Whether you're a civilian, first responder, or armed professional, our pistol training and active shooter response courses prepare you to react decisively under pressure.