"Michael Julian has written an excellent book. Practical, detailed, and a potential life saver if you find yourself in the midst of a targeted attack."
A Terrifying Return to School: Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting - August 27, 2025
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, a gunman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in south Minneapolis during the first week of classes and a morning Mass, prompting a massive multi-agency response and campus evacuation. Officials said the shooter was contained and there was no ongoing threat as the situation stabilized; reports noted multiple victims (20) as details continued to develop. AP NewsCBS NewsStar Tribune
Witness accounts and early coverage described a large law-enforcement presence and fast mutual-aid coordination across city, state, and federal agencies. Some outlets cited as many as 20 victims while others reported at least two fatalities and more than a dozen injured; authorities emphasized that numbers could change as hospitals update their counts. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. PaulABC News
This tragedy is another painful reminder that violence can strike anywhere—schools, churches, workplaces—and that preparedness is the only variable we can meaningfully control.
How this might have been avoided or mitigated: layered prevention and rapid response. Many faith-based schools can strengthen security without sacrificing warmth: single-point entry with staffed check-in, locked interior doors during large gatherings, classroom doors that can be secured from the inside, reinforced glazing/film, and cameras that actually feed a monitored dashboard. Equally important is a behavioral threat-assessment process—training staff and parents to recognize and report leakage, fixation, or direct threats, and empowering administrators to act on credible concerns. Regularly rehearsed mass-notification (PA, text, strobe) and clear plain-language scripts cut through confusion. Finally, pre-incident coordination with local police (site walk-throughs, shared floor plans, radio/911 test calls, reunification sites) compresses time when seconds matter.
Where technology or staffing can’t be perfect, training fills the gap. That’s where A.L.I.V.E. comes in.
A.L.I.V.E. (Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, Expose) is a practical, survivability-focused method designed for ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
- Assess: Snap to awareness. Identify where the threat is (sound, sight, crowd movement) and make an immediate decision. Commit to action—don’t wait for confirmation bias to steal seconds.
- Leave: If a safe path exists, go now. Distance is protection. Take others with you, ignore belongings, and move off the X toward cover and then away from the site.
- Impede: If you can’t escape, deny access. Lock and barricade doors, kill lights, silence devices, get low and out of sight, and create distance with furniture or heavy objects.
- Violence (last resort): If confronted, overwhelm—numbers, speed, and improvised tools (extinguisher, chair, books, bags). Target eyes, throat, groin, weapon arm; commit until the threat is stopped or you can break contact.
- Expose: When the immediate danger is over or officers arrive, show your hands, follow commands, and move carefully. Keep hands empty, avoid sudden movements, and help others do the same.
For schools and churches specifically, pair A.L.I.V.E. with a few high-impact practices: seat staff near aisles/doors during assemblies, pre-assign rally points and secondary exits, keep go-kits (master keys, rosters, med supplies, floor plans) in predictable places, and run brief, age-appropriate drills that build muscle memory without creating fear.
The events in Minneapolis underline a hard truth: hope is not a plan—preparedness is. Empowering people with the A.L.I.V.E. mindset and skills dramatically increases survivability while longer-term prevention efforts take root.
Contact us today to learn more about the A.L.I.V.E. method and help to prevent these terrible tragedies.
- image source: KVRR Local News
Hear From An A.L.I.V.E. Student Survivor Of The Las Vegas Massacre
"As a retired 32 year law enforcement veteran, with several years of SWAT and tactical experience, I learned some different unique perspectives as it pertains to civilians dealing with active threat situations. Very good class for civilians who may have never experienced reacting to a life and death stressful situation."
- Christopher C.
A.L.I.V.E. STANDS FOR:
Assess
Assess the situation quickly
Leave
Leave the area if you can
Impede
Impede the shooter
Violence
Violence may be necessary
Expose
Expose your position carefully for safety
INDUSTRIES WE SERVE
Corporations
Government
Healthcare
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Schools & Universities
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MICHAEL JULIAN
Creator of A.L.I.V.E.
A.L.I.V.E., which stands for Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, and Expose, was created in 2014 when Michael began teaching his Active Shooter Survival philosophy throughout the United States. His book on the subject, 10 Minutes to Live: Surviving an Active Shooter Using A.L.I.V.E. was published in 2017 and the online version of the A.L.I.V.E. Training Program was launched in 2019 and is now part of the corporate security training program for companies throughout the world.
Why A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter
Survival Training Program?
The A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training Program is a comprehensive training program designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive an active shooter incident. Its emphasis on situational awareness and decision-making makes it a practical and effective approach to active shooter situations. By empowering individuals to take proactive measures to protect themselves and others, the program can help prevent tragedies and save lives.