With news of deadly church shootings staining headlines in recent years, some have begun taking steps to prepare for such an event. On Thursday, that was the subject of a training session at Liberty Point Baptist Church hosted by the Little River Baptist Association.
White supremacist Dylann Roof was convicted in December 2016 for a Charleston, South Carolina shooting in June of that year, in which he killed nine people and injured one other. The 25-year-old man charged in the shooting death of one woman and the wounding of a dozen others at a church in Antioch, Tennessee last September reportedly cited revenge for that massacre as motivation. And less than two months later Devin Kelley, the suspect in the shooting of a church in rural Texas, died in a pursuit shortly after the attack.
While these are not the first church shootings in American history, they were the backdrop of the session led by Karl Erickson, a retired Green Beret and Special Deputy with the Trigg County Sheriff’s Office. Erickson likened the actions of those responsible for such attacks to predators, who typically prey upon the weak and vulnerable. However, he also offered up training on how to respond to a critical incident.
Erickson suggests parishioners prepare scenario-based plans for fire, medical emergencies, and active shooters and assign responsibilities. Erickson also recommends churches be vigilant and perform a security inspection of their facilities in the mornings.
Ushers and greeters can serve as the first line of defense, according to Erickson, because they can spot trouble before it makes it inside the building.
Should an active shooter make it inside the church building, Erickson says to determine if it is safe to run and if so, do it. If not, hide and barricade yourself in a safe place. And last but not least, fight. Fight back by throwing chairs, using fire extinguishers, and anything else that can be used to defend yourself. Erickson also suggests having a designated person meet first responders at the door and understand their first priority is to stop the threat.
For more information and materials on church security visit sheepdogchurchsecurity.com or contact the Little River Baptist Association.
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