DC Police Chief To Public: Best Way To Save Lives Is To Take Gunman Down

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Washington, D.C., Police Chief Cathy Lanier told the public in an interview aired on Sunday that those involved in an active shooting should either run, hide, or fight, adding that if someone is able to take the gunman out, then that’s the best way to save lives.

“Your options are run, hide, or fight,” Lanier told Anderson Cooper on CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

She noted that most active shooters kill most of the victims in the first 10 minutes, often before law enforcement officers are able to locate the shooter. She said that the police have altered their guidelines for people faced with a terror attack.

“I always say if you can get out, getting out’s your first option, your best option,” Lanier said. “If you’re in a position to try and take the gunman down, to take the gunman out, it’s the best option for saving lives before police can get there.”

“And that’s, you know, that’s kind of counterintuitive to what cops always tell people, right? We always tell people, ‘Don’t, you know, don’t take action. Call 911. Don’t intervene in the robbery,'” she continued. “We’ve never told people, ‘Take action.’ It’s a different — this is a different scenario.”

Lanier’s comments line up with the guidelines provided by federal law enforcement. A video from the Department of Homeland Security advises people to run, hide, or fight a gunman during an attack.

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