School safety goes beyond rapid response—it’s about fostering a culture that’s equipped to prevent, respond to, and recover from threats. The FBI’s newly released 2024 report on Active Shooter Incidents in the United States offers vital insights. These findings are essential for school leaders to consider as they evaluate and strengthen their current safety strategies.
Let’s explore the key takeaways from the FBI’s report—and the practical steps schools can take to strengthen their safety protocols in light of this new data.
Vital Active Shooter Information from the FBI’s 2024 Report
The FBI defines an active shooter as an individual or individuals actively attempting to kill or killing people in a populated area. In 2024, the agency identified 24 active shooter incidents—four of which occurred on K–12 campuses, resulting in 31 casualties. This represents the highest average number of casualties per incident across all location types. Even more striking are two critical realities that emerge from the data:
- Time is extremely limited: Time is a critical factor during an active shooter incident. On average, these events lasted just over three minutes, while law enforcement typically arrived within two. This narrow window means schools must be ready to take swift, decisive action in the initial moments—often before police can intervene.
- Source of threat: Many threats originate from within the school community. In three of the four incidents, the shooters were students. This underscores the need for prevention strategies that address both internal and external risks. Building a culture centered on safety, student well-being, and early intervention is essential to help guide students away from the path to violence.
Five Ways to Improve Safety
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.
Prioritize Prevention
Many campus active shooter threats originate from students themselves. In most cases, those in crisis exhibit warning signs well before violence occurs. The challenge lies in building systems that ensure no signal is missed. Every adult in the school should feel equipped to recognize, document, and escalate concerning behaviors quickly and consistently. Just as important is providing students with safe, discreet ways to share their concerns—so they feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute to a culture of safety and well-being.
Integrate Behavioral Threat Assessment into Daily Practice
Behavioral threat assessment should be a routine part of school safety—not reserved for counselors alone. All staff should receive regular training to recognize and report early warning signs. The goal isn’t punishment, but timely intervention and support.
What You Need to Know
- No single behavior predicts violence, but research has identified patterns that may signal someone is moving toward harmful actions.
- Early recognition of concerning behaviors expands the options for providing help and preventing escalation.
- A new or inappropriate interest in weapons, especially when combined with other warning signs, may increase concern for potential violence.
Common Warning Signs to Watch For
- Threatening comments, jokes, or plans involving violence
- Repeated fantasies or detailed thoughts about committing violence
- Expressions of self-harm or harm to others
- Creating materials (e.g., videos, notes) that explain or justify future violence
- Viewing violence as a solution to personal problems
- Difficulty coping with stress or emotional challenges
- Loss of interest in hobbies or usual activities
- Declining performance in school or work
- Increasing social isolation
- Angry outbursts or physical aggression
- Troubling interactions with peers or authority figures
- Obsessive interest in previous attackers or violent events
- Sudden, unusual changes in appearance or hygiene
- Asking about or testing school security measures
- Shifts in language or behavior reflecting extremist views, especially after a triggering event
Evaluate Everything
Transitions, lunch periods, arrivals, and dismissals involve more than just scheduling—they are critical moments for maintaining safety. Changes in routine can affect supervision, increase visitor traffic, and expose potential security vulnerabilities. Safety protocols and drills should account for these dynamics to ensure preparedness throughout the entire school day.
Conduct scenario-based active shooter drills during transitional periods to uncover weaknesses in communication, supervision, and visitor management. Refine safety protocols to ensure they remain effective when students are outside of structured classroom environments.
Empower Staff
In an emergency, every second counts. Staff must be fully trained and empowered to act immediately—initiating lockdowns, communicating threats, and guiding students to safety without hesitation or waiting for approval. Confidence and clarity in these moments can save lives.
Emergency response plans should be easy to understand and follow—especially under pressure. Regular, brief refreshers help staff respond quickly and confidently when it matters most.
Building a true culture of safety goes beyond written policies. It requires practical tools, ongoing training, and consistent support that make prevention and intervention part of everyday school life. Programs like Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) training, expert-led compliance courses, and guidance aligned with state and federal mandates provide a strong foundation for effective threat response, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance.
These initiatives equip staff to identify risks early, take proactive steps, and maintain compliance with confidence. Just as important, programs like the Raptor Compliance and Success Program (CSP) turn safety policies into practice through hands-on training and ongoing expert support. This helps schools stay prepared for any situation, encourages adoption of safety tools, and promotes a proactive approach to creating safer learning environments.
Together, these resources help schools turn data and training into meaningful action—closing gaps before they escalate into crises.
Communication, Often Overlooked
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.
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. The Locknow Safety App is a highly recommended tool created for crisis situations.
Culture of Safety
Students, parents, and community members are often the first to notice when something feels off—but they may hesitate to speak up. Whether it’s a social media post, a conversation on the bus, or a shift in behavior, early reporting can help schools intervene before a situation escalates. When everyone understands that safety is a shared responsibility, schools become stronger, more responsive, and more resilient. Promote anonymous reporting systems which are easy to access.
Consistently remind students, families, and staff that speaking up—even about small concerns—can have a big impact. Normalize reporting as a supportive and protective action, not a punitive one. When people feel safe and empowered to share what they see or hear, schools can respond earlier and more effectively.
Click here: Locknow Safety Active Threat Mitigation and Response Training