Federal officials share ways to prepare for a mass shooting

Law enforcement agencies across Los Angeles are increasing patrols and federal authorities are sharing ways to prepare for a mass shooting amid two mass shootings that killed at least 31 people over the weekend. 

"We have these ticking time bombs walking around," said Professor Brian Levin, an expert in the psychology of mass shootings. 

"What we're now seeing is angry young males going out and murdering people. They are chronicling on social media either through a post, a manifesto or live streaming. This is a terrible thing," he added. 

At least 31 people were killed over the weekend in two separate mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas. 

In Texas, authorities are looking at a manifesto connected to the gunman who opened fire at a Walmart, identified as Patrick Crusius. 

“The basic doctrine that he is responding to is that white people are being replaced by non-whites and the book that he referenced is common in the white supremacist world,” Levin said. 

While the odds that you will be a victim of a mass shooting are low, these types of shootings have become frequent. Experts say we all need to be prepared, and have a plan in case something like this were to happen.  

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has detailed advice on their website called 'Active Shooter: How To Respond.'

Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation: 

  •  Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers. 
  • Take note of two nearby exists 
  • If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door
  • If you are in a hall way, get into a room and secure the door
  • As a last resort, fight back. Try to take down the shooter. 
  • Call 911 when it is safe to do so. 


“We’re now seeing the terrorist be the guy down the block and it goes across ideology,” Levin warned. 

When asked if there is anything we can do, he says, “We have to look at this at the root; bigotry, we need education, combat this kind of stuff on the web. Two, mental illness and number 3, access to weaponry.” 

Levin says these types of attackers are motivated by religion, politics, hatred and racism.