MANSFIELD, Ohio — Lieutenant Joseph Petrycki and Sergeant Randy Carver from the Mansfield Police Department created a somber atmosphere Thursday during the county’s first Active Shooter Response Conference.
It was a frightening experience playing raw footage of the Columbine High School massacre. The 1999 high school tragedy ended with 12 students and one teacher murdered and 21 others injured. The two shooters, both high school students, then committed suicide.
“There is evil out there,” Petrycki said.
United Way of Richland County invited nonprofit leaders and organizations to gather Thursday for the county’s first Active Shooter Response Conference at the Richland County/Mansfield Public Library.
Petrycki, who has served at MPD for 20 years, said he’s seen that evil in others — that’s why it’s necessary to be prepared for the worst type of scenario: being in the same room with an active shooter.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an active shooter is “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and other populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly.”
United Way Financial Director Mick Rettig said the purpose of the conference was to help individuals be prepared for the “unthinkable.”
“You know, with the San Bernadino shooting happening recently, I bet no one there thought it would ever happen. Well, we need to be prepared. This could save lives,” Rettig said. “We’re going to do everything in our power not to let that (the Columbine High School shooting) happen ever again.”
The pair then shared active shooter scenario statistics, followed by recommendations on how to respond in those situations.
According to Carver, who has served with MPD for 11 years and is also part of the Army Reserve, there is an active shooter situation every 2.9 months in the U.S. Of those, 98 percent have only one shooter.
Of the weapons used — about three on average — 80 percent are long guns and the shooters have an average hit rate of a little under 50 percent. About 90 percent commit of the shooters commit suicide upon police arrival.
“Also, one person dies every 15 seconds, on average,” Carver said of active shooter situations.
That’s why authorities, like MPD, have enacted protocols to respond as fast as possible, Petrycki said.
“The quicker you get to the threat the more likely the threat is going to kill himself or herself,” he said. “Once contact is made, they take that final bullet and then it ends. The longer we wait, the more innocent people are going to be killed.”
Both Petrycki and Carver recommended those involved in an active shooter situation attack the shooter only when in imminent danger, or as a last resort. But if attacking the shooter was a decision to be made, committing to it is important, Carver said.
“This is life or death guys — if you’re going to do it, do it,” he said.
The pair more readily recommended finding an exit to the building and helping others escape as well. They issued these rules, in order of what should be done first:
- Be aware of your environment and of possible dangers.
- Take note of the two nearest exits.
- Secure the door if you are in an office.
- If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door.
- As a last resort, take the shooter down.
- Only call 911 when it is safe to do so.
Numerous training videos are available online, one of which can be found below.
One guest asked Petrycki and Carver how they feel about obtaining a conceal and carry permit (CCW).
“I love it. I support that,” Petrycki said. “And you know, some people are just anti-gun. But I believe they are a tool. It’s in the mind and heart of the shooter that’s the issue.”
For additional information and resources, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website.
