What the FBI’s 2024 Active Shooter Data Means for Schools 

The FBI’s data highlights areas where even strong safety programs can become stronger. Here’s where school leaders can put their attention—and take clear, practical steps forward. 

1. Shift to a Proactive, Prevent-First Strategy

Most active threats on campus originate from students. But students in crisis typically show signs long before violence occurs. The challenge is creating systems that ensure no warning signs slip through the cracks. Every adult in the building should feel confident in identifying, documenting, and escalating student behavior concerns quickly and consistently. Equally important is cultivating accessible, discrete avenues for students to  voice their concerns—so students supported, safe, and heard—as they help contribute to a culture of safety and wellbeing. 

Action Step: 

Make behavioral threat assessment part of everyday practice. Regularly train staff—not just counselors—to spot and report behaviors early. Reinforce that the goal isn’t punishment, but intervention and support.  

What to Know 

No single behavior means someone will commit violence, but research has identified behaviors that may indicate a person is moving towards violence. 

The earlier a person’s concerning behaviors are noticed, the more options are available to get the person help. 

Together with other concerning behaviors, new or inappropriate interest in weapons may increase concern for violence against others. 

Common Concerning Behaviors: 

• Comments, jokes, or threats about violent plans
• Repeated or detailed fantasies about violence
• Comments about hurting themselves or others
• Creating a document, video, suicide note, or other item to explain or claim credit for future violence
• Seeing violence as a way to solve their problems
• Unusual difficulty coping with stress
• Reduced interest in hobbies and other activities
• Worsening performance at school or work
• Increasing isolation from family, friends, or others
• Angry outbursts or physical aggression
• Increasingly troublesome interactions with others 
• Obsessive interest in prior attackers or attacks
• Bizarre or unexpected change in appearance, including dress or hygiene
• Asking questions about or testing security at a possible target
• Changing vocabulary, style of speech, or how they act in a way that reflects a hardened point of view or new sense of purpose associated with violent extremist causes, particularly after a catalyzing event

2. Rethink the Entire School Day, Not Just Classroom Time

Transitions, lunch periods, arrivals, and dismissals aren’t just logistics—they’re safety considerations. When routines shift, supervision levels change, visitors come and go, and potential security gaps emerge. Protocols and drills should reflect these realities to ensure readiness throughout the day. 

Action Step: 

Run scenario-based drills during transition times. Identify gaps in communication, supervision, or visitor management. Adjust protocols so they function effectively when students are outside structured classrooms. 

3. Empower Staff to Make Quick, Confident Decisions

During an emergency, hesitation costs lives. With just minutes to respond, staff should feel fully empowered—and trained—to initiate lockdowns, communicate threats, and direct students to safety without waiting for permission or second-guessing their actions. 

Action Step: 

Simplify and clarify response plans to avoid confusion during a real emergency. Hold brief but regular refreshers to reinforce immediate, confident decision-making. 

Creating a true culture of safety requires more than policies on paper—it requires tools, training, and support that make prevention and intervention part of everyday school life. Programs such as Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) Training, expert-led compliance training courses, and guidance aligned to state and federal mandates give schools a strong foundation for effective threat assessment protocols, emergency management, and regulatory readiness.   

These initiatives empower staff to recognize risks, take early action, and maintain compliance with confidence. Equally important, programs like the Raptor Compliance and Success Program (CSP) bring these practices to life through hands-on training and ongoing expert support, helping ensure schools are prepared for any situation, driving adoption of safety tools, and helping districts take a proactive approach to building safer learning environments.  

Together, these resources support schools in transforming data and training into meaningful action—closing gaps before they become crises. 

4. Strengthen Real-Time Communication and Coordination

When an incident unfolds, accurate and fast information-sharing is critical. Confusion around student location, staff roles, or incident status can quickly escalate an emergency. Schools need clear, simple communication channels that everyone—from teachers and counselors to administrators and responders—can rely on. 

Action Step: 

Evaluate how well your current communication processes perform during drills. Simplify tools and workflows so everyone has the same clear view of the situation. Use drills to identify where communication breaks down, and make necessary adjustments. 

5. Create a Culture of Shared Responsibility for Safety

Students, parents, and community members are often the first to notice when something doesn’t feel right—but they may hesitate to speak up. Whether it’s a social media post, a conversation on the bus, or a change in behavior, encouraging people to report concerns early can help schools prevent violence before it starts. When everyone understands that safety is a shared responsibility, schools become more resilient. 

Action Step: 

Promote anonymous reporting systems and make them easy to access. Regularly remind students, families, and staff that speaking up—no matter how small the concern—can make a big difference. Normalize reporting as a protective and supportive action, not a punitive one.