What defines an "active shooter" situation?

An "active shooter" situation is defined by an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. This definition emphasizes the ongoing nature of the threat, where the shooter is in the process of committing violence against others, posing immediate danger to anyone in the vicinity. This scenario calls for a swift and coordinated response from law enforcement and emergency services to mitigate the loss of life and restore safety.

In contrast, the other scenarios do not fit the specific parameters of an active shooter. A situation involving someone threatening suicide does not necessarily imply that they are harming or attempting to harm others. Similarly, a person fleeing police may be dangerous but is not actively engaged in shooting or killing. A gang-related shootout, while violent, is typically gang-related conflicts that may not involve indiscriminate shooting at individuals in a populated area, falling outside the definition of an active shooter. The focus on ongoing violence in populated environments distinctly characterizes the active shooter situation.