How should a Court Officer respond to a potential active shooter scenario?

• A. Run if safe, hide behind sturdy cover, or fight only as last resort; follow building's active shooter protocol; immediately notify authorities and provide location.
• B. Freeze and do nothing.
• C. Call a lawyer.
• D. Stand in doorway and observe.

Answer: (D)

In an active shooter situation, the priority is to maximize your safety by getting to safety, not by staying in one place. The best approach is to run if you can do so without exposing yourself, hide if escape isn’t possible, and only fight as a last resort when you’re directly confronted and have no other options. Always follow the building’s active shooter protocol and call for help as soon as you can, providing your exact location. Standing in a doorway to observe is dangerous because it keeps you exposed, can block or delay your own escape, and gives the shooter a fixed target rather than a path to safety. The goal is to remove yourself from harm and to assist responders with timely information, not to watch and wait.