NORFOLK — The FBI field office here has partnered with the Norfolk Police Department and Saint Leo University to teach the community behaviors of a possible mass shooter.
The Active Threat Preparedness Seminar is on May 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pretlow Library, and is free and open to the public who register.
In addition to how to prepare and respond to an active threat, attendees will learn “pre-attack behaviors.”
The Bureau’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, or BAU, released a study which surveyed pre-attack behaviors of active shooters in the U.S. from 2000 to 2013.
According to the research, 51 percent of active shooters leaked an intent to commit violence, but witnesses did not report the leaks in any instance.
Results also show 92 percent of schoolmates and 87 percent of spouses or domestic partners noticed a shooter’s “concerning behaviors” prior to an attack.
FBI Norfolk Community Outreach Specialist Vanessa Torres brings FBI training directly to the public by coordinating training events with local organizations and first responders.
“Community members are the eyes and ears of law enforcement. They are invaluable resources when they are able to identify and report threats,” Torres said.
Torres also notes, “public events are announced via the Norfolk FBI’s Twitter Page or through local press.”
Members of the community are encouraged to visit the Norfolk FBI’s site (click on the Community Outreach tab) to request presentations on various topics such as terrorism, violent crimes, cyber crime, civil rights and more.
Groups and community members are encouraged to visit the Norfolk FBI’s website where they can request presentations.
