At an active shooter incident, what should the primary focus of the first officer be?

In an active shooter incident, the primary focus of the first officer on the scene should be to stop the killing and dying as quickly as possible. This is critical because time is of the essence in such high-stress situations; the longer a shooter remains active, the greater the potential for harm to victims. First responders are trained to prioritize neutralizing the threat, which helps to protect lives and prevent further injuries.

While gathering information about the shooter, establishing a perimeter, and evacuating civilians are important components of the overall response, these actions can occur afterward or in parallel once the immediate threat has been addressed. By focusing first on stopping the active threat, officers can mitigate the immediate danger to victims, allowing rescue operations and further actions to take place in a safer environment. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure the safety of victims and prevent additional casualties.