THE REALITY OF ACTIVE SHOOTER ENGAGEMENT DISTANCES
Posted by: Archangel Defense Solutions, LLC
Date: 5/4/2025
The Reality of Active Shooter Engagement Distances — Why Your Draw Matters
How quickly can you draw from concealment and place a round on target?
In active shooter situations, this isn't just a drill — it’s a life-saving skill.
What the Data Says:
· Indoors (Schools, Churches, Offices):
o Engagements often occur at close quarters, with distances averaging 5-15 feet. This proximity demands rapid response and precision under pressure.
· Outdoors (Parking Lots, Campuses, Open Spaces):
o Engagement distances can vary, but many confrontations still happen within 20–50 feet, requiring both speed and accuracy.
· Civilian Interventions:
o Most defensive shootings by civilians occur at less than 15 feet, emphasizing the need for quick draw and immediate threat assessment..
· Law Enforcement Engagements:
o Officers typically engage threats at 15–50 feet, sometimes farther with long guns. Highlighting the importance of readiness and tactical proficiency.
Real-World Examples:
· Jack Wilson (White Settlement, TX – 2019). Within 6 seconds, he drew from concealment and neutralized an active shooter at approximately 15 feet, saving countless lives at West Freeway Church of Christ.
· Eli Dicken (Greenwood, IN – 2022). Engaged a mass shooter at 40 yards inside a mall food court, scoring 8 of 10 hits from concealment with no formal LE training — stopping the threat before police arrived.
At Archangel Defense Solutions, LLC, We Train for This Reality:
· We train clients to draw from concealment and place a first shot on target at 15 feet in 1.5 seconds or less.
· Yes, it can be done — and you can do it with consistent, focused training.
· We emphasize:
o Speed with safety
o Precision under pressure
o Situational awareness
o Use of cover and concealment
o Use of command presence to control the situation
"We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training." — Archilochus
And we train like lives depend on it — because they do.
Assess with purpose | Adapt with wisdom | Defend with God
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