Surviving Mass Victim Attacks

Personal security is a very valuable concept as it relates to surviving mass victim attacks. I offer the following definition.

Personal security for mass victim attacks is the self-reliance on knowledge, awareness, known limitations and strengths, and types of responses you personally can perform to increase the probability of remaining alive when attacked.

When mass victim attacks occur, first responders are often on the scene within minutes. However, the presence of law enforcement, SWAT, or any other responders does not automatically mean immediate intervention. The Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando lasted for several hours. Omar Mateen extended the time by taking hostages and “negotiating” with law enforcement. Security, law enforcement, SWAT, and any other official forces to enter the scene are extremely important, and I respect their predicament and admire their actions tremendously.

Surprise attacks are bewildering, they are all different, and the circumstances are never the same. Be aware that when forces arrive, it does not automatically signal the end of a mass victim attack. First responders can be killed, as well as immediate targets.

Personal security means that you take responsibility for your own life-or-death decisions at a moment’s notice. There must be a realization that you simply cannot wait for official forces to arrive to end a mass victim attack. There may be a tendency to run to a restroom or other adjacent room to hide. Surely law enforcement will arrive in a few minutes. Back exits, windows, and other options for escape may have been avoided or not noticed. Immediate safety may be the concern. However, escape is in order, immediately if possible. There are other options if escape is not possible, and the following chapters will cover these options.

On September 11, 2001, we witnessed the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history in New York City, Washington, D.C., and in a field in Pennsylvania. There were over 6,000 injuries and 2,977 deaths. One could write many books about this one attack.

I had a small threat-detection team in the Pentagon at the time, and fortunately was not there at the time the airliner hit the Pentagon. However, one of my employees was walking out the front exit to bring me documents at the office when the airliner hit. We worked in the Pentagon the next day. Of special note, brave first responders heroically did all they could to save lives. Of the 2,977 deaths, 343 firefighters, 23 police officers, and 37 Port Authority responders were included in the fatality count. These responders gave their lives to help others. We must remember that first responders are human too, and they face even more risk than others as they purposely run toward the danger.

When you are caught in a mass victim attack, you are your own expert. You do not have to be a law enforcement official, or a security expert. You are not likely to be carrying a concealed weapon, although there are those who do; this is a different story covered in chapter 6. In short, you are the best resource available at the time. Hopefully, you are knowledgeable, aware of your surroundings, situationally aware, and able to make the best decisions for survival available to you at the time.

Knowing that you are responsible for your own survival can reduce the bewilderment, startle response, and the time it takes to figure out what to do if not prepared. Seconds count. How carefully you scanned that restaurant, bar, grill, theatre, or an enclosure when you entered may pay off as the shooting, bombing, stabbing, run-down, or other method of mass killing begins to occur. For example, if a restaurant seated you next to a back exit, near the kitchen, or even near a window, then escape options are immediately available should an attack occur.

Personal security begins when you enter any public space. You may have even made seating decisions before coming to the location. But, at least, you should scan and make such decisions on entering. It takes just a few seconds—seconds that can offset the early seconds of bewilderment if or when an attack occurs.

Keeping escape as the first option is especially important for those who are not in excellent physical condition. Many patrons are not young, athletic, and able to sprint. In fact, next time you visit a restaurant, look around and notice all in the restaurant. Patrons could be very young and helpless infants and children, the elderly, physically and maybe even mentally challenged. This makes preplanning even more important. When entering public venues such as restaurants, bars, and malls take special care to note the location of the exits. This is important not just for mass victim attacks but also for fires and other surprise calamities.

If physically challenged always insist on being placed near an exit. Think escape, not hiding or fighting back. It is true that the probability of being caught in a mass victim attack is very low, but if you are the one caught in such an attack, statistics are meaningless. Approach every location as if there could be a mass victim attack. It only takes a few seconds, and the preparation could save your life. Do attackers care if you are with a child or infant, elderly, or physically or mentally challenged? No one needs to know that you are being careful and ensuring escape.

For the most part, we have been focusing on mass victim attackers who are active shooters. How about other types of attacks: vehicle run-downs, stabbings, or bombings? Being prepared for mass victim attacks means being aware of any type of tactic that could be used against those in a crowded location. Please note this very important fact: Mass victim attackers are not interested in small gatherings of people. They are pushing for that one big act to kill as many as possible. They are prepared to die, if it comes to that end. They are not going to waste their time and risk their lives to go after one or two people. Their desire is to draw attention to the attack itself, if not to themselves. The bigger the attack, the better.

Escape is almost always the preferred response, and should be everyone’s first thought, regardless of the type of attack. It should be obvious that if you are facing danger and a quick escape can remove you from that danger, then escape is the defensive method of choice. Survivors of mass victim attacks have used escape, hiding, staying in place, and fighting by attacking the attacker. However, there have been many fatalities when true escape did not occur. Victims have been killed hiding, staying in place, and attempting to fight back. A true escape means that you are free from danger. Specifically:

Escape is the act of exiting a location of imminent threat and danger by moving to a location that is safe from harm.

Certainly, hiding, staying in place, and attack can result in survival, but under special conditions. The conditions under which other strategies should be used are complex enough to require their own chapters, which immediately follow this chapter. However, there is wide agreement that if you can exit a location of imminent death or severe injury by moving to a safe location, it is the better strategy. Other strategies are used only if escape is not an option.

There have been numerous mass victim attacks and all such attacks have fatalities and survivors. Past attack survivals help to frame future strategies. For example, in mass victim attacks, what were the target actions that led to both death and severe injury versus successful escape? In some cases, survival could be considered good fortune or luck. In other cases, successful escape was the result of calm and quick thought-out action. Regardless, escape methods that have worked, whether by accident or not, can produce strategies that can be learned and put into action by design when necessary.

If an active shooting attack begins near the entrance of a restaurant or bar and you happen to be near a back exit or window at the time, you exit quickly. You have moved from imminent threat and danger to a location that is safe. You then can call 911 to report the emergency, giving the exact location with all details to aid first responders, as you continue to move away to ensure continued safety. Yes, the exit avenue was open to you by chance, and you took quick advantage of the exit route. Principles of survival that we may use in a planned manner surface when analyzing such escapes. The following are examples derived from survival stories.

Be aware of the sounds and actions of others at the beginning of an active shooting attack. Loud “popping sounds” associated with people running and screaming means escape immediately. Remember that sounds of guns firing in a confined space can sound very different from what we hear in movies. There is no need to stay in place to see what is happening. You could lose your life waiting. Hopefully you noticed the location of exits when entering the public place you are visiting.

When in a crowded location that could attract an attack, seek a table or location near an exit.

The probability is extremely high that you will never be caught in a mass victim attack. However, the tragedies that have occurred, the severe injuries, and the horrific loss of life should not be thought of as statistics. Forget that the probability of being caught in a mass victim attack is very low. It is exactly like putting your seat belt on when getting in your car. Always be prepared. Therefore, I highly recommend that when visiting any public event or location, immediately notice exits and be near them. Choose seating wisely: The food will be the same, you can have the same enjoyment with others, and you can escape immediately, if necessary.

If a location near the back exit is not available, choose a location near a kitchen door that can lead to a back exit.

Many locations do not have back exits that can be seen as you enter the building. But, if an eating establishment, know that almost all kitchens have back doors. Sitting near a kitchen door can provide a two-step escape. First, the kitchen door blocks the attacker’s view of you while you head quickly to that back door. Second, that back exit offers an escape from the killing field.

If a back exit or close proximity to a kitchen door is not apparent or may even be missing, what other avenues are present that would allow an escape?

When entering a public location and noticing where exits are located, it is natural to look for doors as the form of exit. However, many ground-floor locations also have windows. Such windows can open in some cases, or may be broken with a chair—especially in an emergency. It is amazing how small an opening we can squeeze through, especially if a shooter may be approaching in a few seconds or minutes.

Are there stairs that lead up or down a floor with access to an exit? Can you sit next to the stairs if no back exits or windows are available?

True escape, as opposed to hiding, staying in place, or attacking does not have to be a matter of luck. Planning where you sit in a crowded location can very much be a part of a quick assessment of any location entered. I find that when I enter a new location it takes me about 10 seconds to scan the premises to determine potential places within the location that could allow a quick exit. This includes sitting in such a direction that I can see the front first and the back second. Is this paranoid? No. It is a quick safety assessment exactly like looking to see where the exits are in an airliner when I board. Safety comes first.

Know that you are a paying customer when you frequent restaurants, bars, and other similar crowded public venues. You have choices. I often request a different table or sitting area if a waiter wants to place me at a certain table I do not like. What if reservations are required? I have also requested a certain location within a restaurant if I need to make reservations. Many restaurant websites have multiple photos of the inside and some even show a floor plan. These can be used as a guide to selecting a seating location at reservation time. I find that theatres or concert venues requiring that tickets be purchased in advance provide great online images of seating arrangements for tickets. I can pick my seats wisely.

In short, we have choices, and we should exercise planning and control when visiting public places. Just as some experience a fortunate turn of events and escape successfully, the fatalities weren’t so lucky. The question is whether increased knowledge and awareness can increase the probability of survival, or do we just hope to be at the right place at the right time when an attack occurs? This is much like asking if practice driving and driving tests increase safety. Obviously, it is better to be prepared and knowledgeable than not. There is no substitute for planning, remaining calm to the best of our ability when in crisis mode, and creating an escape, if necessary.

Special mention should be made about remaining as calm as possible, given the situation. A mass victim attack often includes panic, screaming, running, and mass dashes for obvious and nearby exits. Injuries, even severe injuries, can occur at this time as a result of pushing, shoving, and trampling. This is another reason why planning your location when you enter is noteworthy. There is the obvious immediate danger posed by flying bullets; however, there is also the possibility of accidental injuries caused by well-meaning patrons running without a plan in a state of panic.

There have been creative examples of escape. On June 12, 2016, self-radicalized Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard, entered Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and began shooting with the objective of killing a massive number of patrons. The attack included hostage and barricade tactics, and lasted for several hours. At the conclusion of the horrific attack, Mateen had killed 49 people and wounded 58 others. Highlighted by the terrible loss of lives, there were survivors in what was one of the worst shootings in our country’s history.

At the beginning of the attack, when shots were fired at the entrance of the nightclub, a former marine, Imran Yousuf, kept calm and purposely sought out an exit near the back. He found two doors—one that led back to the club and one that led out to safety. However, the door exiting the club was locked. He repeatedly yelled for others to open the door, but to no avail—all people were scrambling for their lives. So he climbed the wall, went over the top, and unlatched the door from the other side. The now-open door allowed many who were trapped to escape to the outside. The best estimate was that 60 to 70 potential victims escaped through this door with their lives.¹ This was one of the best examples that I have found of keeping calm to reach safety that would also help others.

At the same time, there were nine people who had fled to a dressing room. A 20-year-old woman in the room called 911 and stated there was a wall-installed air conditioning unit that she thought could serve as an escape—there was no other way to escape from the room. In the meantime, Mateen was busy killing others, laughing, and talking on the phone to police and his wife. SWAT first discouraged removing the heavy air-conditioning unit, thinking the noise might attract the attention of Mateen to those hiding. However, after about two hours, the nine in hiding heard a knocking on the outside of the wall. It was the police. It was time to push out the air conditioning unit and escape. The unit was pushed out with the help of the outside police officers. The unit was removed, leaving a hole in the wall large enough for an escape path. All nine persons trapped in the dressing room exited through the hole, escaped, and survived.²

As with most mass victim attacks, there are examples of both fatalities and successful escape. In the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza shot his way through the locked front door entrance and immediately started targeting children and staff. He was met by the principal, Dawn Hochsprung, and the school psychologist, Mary Sherlach, as they ran toward Lanza to stop him and protect the school children. True heroes, they were both shot and killed by Lanza. Attacking the attacker, or fighting back, in this case was not successful.

Another worker turned on the intercom near the front office, so the entire school could hear the shootings and chaos as a warning to escape, hide, or follow whatever strategy could be used. The custodian bravely risked his life running through the halls to give warnings to all classrooms that there was an active shooter, and other staff did all they could to protect the lives in their classes.³ Some were killed by hiding and some survived by hiding. One little girl lived by playing dead—she was the only survivor in a restroom of slaughtered children. Victoria Soto, a 27-year-old teacher, died while literally taking bullets, serving as a human shield for the children in her care.

The quick thinking of staff to provide specific warnings as to what was happening was surely responsible for many successful escapes. The death toll (twenty 5-and 6-year-old children and six adults) would have likely been much higher without the quick warnings and successful attempts at hiding children. There are strategies for surviving, but this example deserves special attention. Six adults ignored personal safety and heroically chose to protect children at the cost of their own lives. Such a decision is as personal a decision as humanly possible. Lanza, plagued with mental health issues, succeeded in an unthinkable massacre of the innocent. But, it is clear the death toll would have been much higher without the many acts of bravery.

On December 2, 2015, self-radicalized married couple Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik entered a Christmas party in San Bernardino, California. There were approximately 80 fellow employees celebrating. Masked, Farook and Malik opened fire with multiple weapons. By all accounts, they fired indiscriminately and tried to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. Survivors reported hearing popping sounds or fireworks at first. Some took cover under overturned tables and other obstacles.

Most importantly, there were three exit doors accessible to the large room where the shootings occurred—which were not used by any of the occupants in the room. These doors should have been the first choice, but survivors reported thinking the event was a drill, and they hid as they had been taught.⁴ At the conclusion of the swift attack, 14 were killed and 24 were injured. Farook and Malik escaped, but four hours later were killed in a shoot-out with the police while in their SUV. We are left wondering what would have happened if the first option, escape through exit doors, was exercised. Speaking of no mercy, multiple reports stated that the employees attacked had some time earlier given Farook a baby shower.

I cannot overemphasize the principle of escape. By definition, escape is the only strategy that includes leaving the location of danger for another location that is free of danger. We think, of course, anyone would use escape if exits were available! But we have the San Bernardino massacre when three exit doors from the room were available but not used at all.

Why were obvious exits not used? There may be several reasons. First, employees had received past training about how to hide in such an emergency. Hitting the ground and immediate hiding were included in the training. That is what they did. Second, as survivors reported, they heard a popping sound or “fireworks.” So it took some seconds to realize the true danger and that the popping sounds were, in fact, deadly gunfire. This is not unusual in mass victim shooting attacks. Third, it was difficult to believe it was real, and they kept waiting for those who fell to the floor to get back up from what they thought was an exercise to support their training. Because of training, they tried to hide, falling to the floor in the one room. In the meantime, innocent victims were being shot, killed, and injured.

There is often disbelief that must be overcome at the beginning of an attack. Disbelief acts to lengthen the startle response that all will encounter. Is this real? Is it an exercise? Is it a joke? During the beginning of the James Holmes mass victim attack at the Century 16 movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado, on July 12, 2012, survivors reported that, at first, they thought the shooter’s entrance was part of the movie, or not real. When an active shooter attack begins, as in the Aurora, San Bernardino, Orlando nightclub, or any other mass victim attack, the first few seconds were key to survival.

The lesson learned: Treat popping sounds, what may sound like fireworks, or what could “maybe” be gunfire as the real thing. This is especially important if you cannot see the entrance and the attacker. You are relying on sounds only. Fireworks are not likely to be going off in a confined setting, and if a balloon, one balloon could pop but it is not likely that multiple balloons will keep popping. Be aware that gunfire in a confined public space will sound very different from what you would expect. Your first thought for yourself, if alone, or yourself and family or friends should be ESCAPE.

Question training. Who are the trainers? What are their backgrounds? Have the training methods actually resulted in saved lives in real situations? Trainers and training methods must be vetted to ensure practicality and effectiveness. If you have questions, have several local law enforcement officers (not a friend or just one officer) review training material to ensure authenticity. Most importantly, don’t rely on simple lists on a website. As I mention repeatedly, survival during mass victim attacks is not a function of knowing items on a list. It is more complex than that.

The beginning of an attack is important in many ways . When an attack begins and you decide to warn others, be specific! Don’t just say, “Run!” If you simply say “run,” those who hear the warning will look around to see why they should be running. Maybe it is a joke. Maybe you are crazy! It doesn’t matter how often you say it or how loudly you shout it, the typical response is to look around to determine the danger and why one should run. It is human nature. However, if you yell, “active shooter,” “shooter,” “someone has a gun and is shooting people,” “a bomb has exploded,” etc., then valuable information has been communicated that can be acted upon immediately.

Be aware of information contained in this book so that you can make your own personal decisions. Be careful following the loudest voice—it is your life, and you should make your own decisions. A booming or screaming voice that says, “run out the front door” or “hit the floor” may not be the best advice simply because it is authoritative or loud.

As a whole, we are basically followers. In a mass victim attack, our lives are at stake, and we deserve to make our own informed decisions. It is quite possible to follow someone who has made a faulty, if not fatal, decision. Know what to expect, and focus on escaping from the location. At the beginning of a mass victim attack, there may be those with the best intentions who try to lead and give suggestions. Be aware, and make your own decisions.

All mass victim attacks are horrific tragedies. However, bombings present the least possibility of escape. When a significant bombing occurs, those caught in the kill zone simply do not have a chance to escape. The result can be immediate death, severe injuries including missing body parts, deafness, blindness, damaged lungs from breathing noxious fumes, blast pressure effects, and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime. Any survivor of a mass victim attack must cope with psychological effects which, in severest form, can result in Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These disorders will be addressed in chapter 10.

We tend to think there is nothing that can be done in a bombing. It is so immediate that there may be no escape, and if alive after the blast, we focus on injuries immediately. However, this book also covers what can be observed before an attack. There is much that can be done prior to a blast. If suspicious behavior is observed, report it. If bomb-making material is present at a neighbor’s house, report it. If a relative appears to be ordering explosives or even detonating small explosive devices, this could be practice for an attack, not harmless fun. Yes, if a bomb is detonated, our focus will be on injuries. But being alert to surroundings can have a profound effect. For example, if at a public gathering of any kind and a suspicious package is spotted, report it!

Remember, also, that even if there is little that can be done once a bomb is detonated except worry about injuries, there can be a second bomb. We can be ready for that one. More about this in chapter 5. If you are alive and maybe uninjured after the blast, don’t run wildly. You may encounter a second bomb or a shooter. On December 22, 2017, 26-year-old Everitt Aaron Jameson was arrested for planning a mass victim attack on popular Pier 39 in San Francisco. An informant had provided a tip to authorities after seeing a social media post. Jameson, a former U.S. Marine, had become self-radicalized. His reported tactic was to use an explosive to funnel those running into one area so that he could shoot and kill them with semi-automatic weapons.⁵

To risk being repetitive, know first aid. It is a very important investment of your time and can pay off not only for mass victim attacks, but for many and varied situations. The following are helpful hints once a bomb is detonated.

•If near the blast, even if injured, remain as calm as possible. Thinking and decision making works best when not panicking.

•Use first aid for self and nearby others—first responders are likely to respond quickly, but those minutes after a bomb detonation before first responders arrive can literally save lives.

•Know how to make a tourniquet and apply direct pressure to reduce significant and serious blood loss.

•Help direct first responders to the most severely injured: Confusion, bewilderment, and panic follow such attacks, and first responders will have to sort out what has happened while conducting their triage.

•Make sure authorities have your contact information as a witness; this can be very helpful to investigators who must piece together what happened, what type of bomb, and who may be responsible.

You are at a bar or restaurant and an emotional person ranting and shouting pulls out a long knife that was concealed. It could also be a hatchet, machete, or even multiple knives, collectively known as sharp-edged weapons. It is clear he is focused on stabbing anyone. Stabbing as a mass victim attack method carries with it the intent to kill. The knife or other similar object should be viewed as a matter of life or death. There is no way to talk the attacker down, nor is there any way to reason. He is there to kill. I say he because stabbers have been male. What do you do? How can you protect yourself from a raging person with sharp weapons with the intent to kill?

When I was a psychologist in the U.S. Secret Service, I attended a training session for agents. The live scenario focused on an agent acting as the U.S. president and shaking hands while walking amongst a crowd held back by a rope. He was protected by two agents, one being the chief trainer. This was a real scenario. It was not just acting. Training sessions incorporated real knives and it was up to the trainer to actually stop a lunge with a knife.

A planned assailant jumped out of the crowd unexpectedly to stab the protectee. The chief trainer accompanying the protectee immediately assessed the threat, and within two or three seconds, disarmed the assailant, and both agents had the assailant on the ground. The chief trainer dislocated his thumb in the process—this was apparent because it was pointed in a backward direction. He said, “Excuse me,” turned around, snapped the thumb back in place with his other hand, and to his great credit, continued with training, seemingly unfazed. We are not superhuman like this highly regarded and legendary trainer, but there are many things we can do to defend ourselves from a stabber. The incident left an indelible impression on me. Awareness, knowing what to do, and acting immediately made the difference.

In the example, the trainer was in total control. How can you be in control? You don’t have to be superman, and you don’t have to have special years of training with years of experience. The enraged and ranting individual is lunging at innocent victims, and now is focusing on you.

There are several points to keep in mind if unfortunately caught in a stabbing attack. A stabbing attack can occur very quickly and does not consist of a single stabbing motion. Typically, fueled by the objective of killing and not to just threaten, many stabbing motions can be made in seconds and can consist of slashing, jabbing, lunging, and swinging from different directions. A mass victim attacker intent on stabbing can cover a several-yard distance between him and you in one or two seconds. There are no threatening moves—just a forward assault to stab, slash, and kill.

It is important to understand why the first thought you should have is escape if caught in a situation with a knife-wielding attacker. Tremendous damage can be done in just a few seconds. Forget what you have seen in the movies. It is rarely a single jab. An attacker knows where to stab and how to stab to kill. The details can be very gory. If a wound hits vital spots, bleeding can be intense, and immediate attention is required. The best way to defend against such attacks is to escape. Of course, escape must be possible. If not possible, there are still methods to be used that can save your life.

What can you do if faced with an irate, incensed, crazy-appearing attacker with a sharp weapon. Trust me: Escape! Run. A sharp object can deliver wounds within seconds that rival gunshot wounds. I believe I must present this as a quote. It is powerful, and it lets you know why you need to escape, if possible.

On August 22, 1995, Officer Steven Alva punched five bullet holes into a suspect’s chest, including one that went through his heart, but the deadly fight continued as the suspect attacked with a large knife.

After a five-block foot pursuit, the 6-foot 4-inch, 260-pound suspect led Alva and his partner, Officer Jay Chambers, inside a house. The suspect ran into the kitchen area as Alva and Chambers entered the house. “As soon as we were inside we saw the suspect with a large knife held in the ‘ice pick’ grip, just like in the movie Psycho,” recalled Alva.

Immediately the suspect lunged to cover the 11 feet between himself and Chambers, who didn’t have a chance to draw his gun.

Alva fired three shots, all of them hitting the suspect’s chest.

But the suspect didn’t seem to notice that he had been shot as he began to slash Chambers and a struggle for the knife ensued. The suspect knocked Chambers down and landed on top of him, slashing the officer’s face and making a deep cut from his left eye, across his nose, and down to his chin. All of this happened very quickly.

The slashing continued as Chambers and the suspect struggled for the knife. Knowing that his partner was taking potentially lethal wounds, Alva quickly got into position and fired two more shots into the suspect.

Now Alva was so close that he was able to wrest the knife out of the suspect’s hands. Then he pushed him off Chambers and handcuffed him.

In the aftermath, 180 stitches were needed to sew Chambers’ face back together and they discovered that his Kevlar vest had protected his chest from a deep slash attempt.⁶

A stabber with intent to threaten versus a stabber with the intent to kill are two entirely different situations. Be prepared for both, and be prepared to escape. The details provided in this chapter are relevant for stabbing attacks, as well as for shooting attacks. The precautions taken when entering a public location provide suggestions for moving from the imminent threat to a location that is safe. The first advice is not to underestimate a stabber. The immediate thought is likely that a shooter directing gunfire around a confined space is much more dangerous than a stabber. Remember that a stabber can move, run, lunge, and be very mobile in the midst of an attack to kill multiple people.

In this chapter, we are assuming that escape is possible. The same exit scanning should occur, noting the location of all exits, windows, kitchen location, and adjacent rooms that may have exits. When a stabbing begins, we may witness similar panic, running, and general pandemonium. Escape from the location and call 911 immediately so that law enforcement can enter the scene as soon as possible. The probability is very high that individuals will be stabbed and will be suffering from potentially grave injuries.

If escape is not possible, and hiding is not possible, you may need to attack the attacker to save your life. The stabber will have to be at arm’s length to stab, which is very different than a shooting situation. This is a frightening situation, but also presents possibilities for survival. The lack of escape possibilities makes hiding and attacking-the-attacker options possibilities that may be necessary. Because it becomes complex if escape is not possible, the following two chapters covering surviving by hiding and surviving by attacking will provide details of how other options may be used.

Escaping from vehicle run-downs is different from escaping within confined public gatherings. First, vehicles are outside, and victims are typically in an open environment. Vehicles are fast and accelerate at the time of attack, so running in the same direction as the moving vehicle is a sure way to be run over and killed, at worst, or severely injured, at best. Both Al Qaeda and ISIS have called for the use of vehicles to run over pedestrians and kill them.⁷ They also have recommended stabbings. Why? Knives and vehicles are easy to obtain and do not require special skills—and they can be deadly for multiple victims at one time.

The key to survival of a vehicle run-down is escape! It is the only option. There is no time to hide because the vehicle suddenly accelerates with no warning. You cannot stay in place, or you could be hit for sure if you are in the path. You can’t play dead—there is no reason to be dead, and the driver knows it. You can’t attack, or fight back. Even if armed, you are not going to stop an accelerating vehicle coming straight for you. Again, forget the movies. If you were armed and shot the tires, these vehicles have momentum and they are accelerating, and they will hit you. This is all common sense, but we simply are not accustomed to thinking about such an attack. Regardless, when it is apparent that it is a vehicle run-down attack, you must already be escaping.

So, what can you do? You practice safe walking always. The following are key points for safety, many of which we learned early in life.

Walking on the side of the road with traffic approaching you from the back is very dangerous. You need to constantly assess any approaching danger posed by oncoming vehicles. This goes for spotting the intoxicated driver, an accident coming at you, or even a terrorist who is driving a vehicle to kill pedestrians. No one knows it is a terrorist—it is a vehicle coming at you at high speed.

In 2015, 5,376 pedestrians were killed and over 70,000 were injured in traffic within the United States. These were not terrorist attacks, but were traffic accidents with 90% involving a single vehicle. Surprisingly, 38% of pedestrian fatalities involved drinking—not the driver but by the killed pedestrians.⁸ It is essential when walking near traffic or congregating near traffic that you remain totally aware of the traffic and surroundings. When walking, drinking can impair judgment and affect balance, as well as impair the ability to respond quickly.

Being in the proximity of traffic is not a time for cell phones or other distractions. Walking safely in the vicinity of traffic is a survival strategy to counter many types of traffic threats. It just so happens that the same principles can help you survive if an attacker in a vehicle heads in your direction. You have to see the threat—you may only have one to a few seconds—you have to be clear headed, and you must move.

When you are walking, try to walk near buildings and not on the edge of the street. This can allow a quick duck into an alley or a building if a vehicle is heading rapidly toward you. If near a building, go to the back immediately. If caught in the open, escape quickly to the left or right of the path—never in the same direction as the oncoming vehicle. You can’t outrun a rapidly accelerating vehicle. To state another concern, be careful using a parked vehicle for protection unless absolutely necessary if there are no other obstacles to get behind.

On August 12, 2017, a heated white nationalist protest turned violent in Charlottesville, Virginia. Twenty-year-old white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer Alex Fields ran his Dodge Challenger at high speed into the back of two cars at a crowded intersection. The momentum of his car resulted in the other two cars surging forward, killing a 32-year-old female and injuring 19 other people.⁹ Fields was arrested in the domestic terrorism attack.

Surviving by Escaping