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Preventing Tragedy: Lessons from the Montenegro Shooting and the Importance of Active Shooter Training

Preventing Tragedy: Lessons from the Montenegro Shooting and the Importance of Active Shooter Training

On January 1, 2025, the tranquil town of Cetinje in Montenegro was shattered by a tragic mass shooting that claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals, including two children. The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Aleksandar Martinovic, initiated his deadly rampage following a bar brawl, targeting multiple locations before ultimately taking his own life.

AP News

This devastating event underscores the critical importance of proactive measures to prevent such tragedies. While it's challenging to predict every act of violence, comprehensive active shooter training can equip individuals and organizations with the skills necessary to detect potential threats and respond effectively, potentially mitigating the impact of such incidents.

Could This Tragedy Have Been Prevented?

While it's impossible to say with certainty that any single measure could have prevented the Montenegro shooting, several factors highlight the potential for intervention:

  • Early Detection of Behavioral Red Flags: Martinovic had a history of illegal weapons possession and violent behavior. HuffPost Recognizing and addressing such warning signs through community awareness and reporting mechanisms could have prompted earlier intervention.
  • Conflict De-escalation Training: The incident reportedly began with a bar altercation. Training individuals to manage and de-escalate conflicts can prevent situations from escalating into violence.
  • Emergency Response Preparedness: Equipping citizens and local authorities with active shooter response training can reduce response times and improve decision-making during critical incidents, potentially saving lives.

The Importance of Proper Training

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve rapidly, often concluding before law enforcement can arrive. Therefore, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with such situations.

Proper training encompasses:

  • Situational Awareness: Recognizing unusual behaviors or environmental anomalies that may indicate a potential threat.
  • Response Strategies: Understanding the "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol and knowing when and how to apply each action effectively.
  • Communication Skills: Learning how to communicate effectively with law enforcement and others during an emergency.
  • First Aid Training: Basic medical training to provide immediate assistance to the injured before professional help arrives.

Implementing comprehensive active shooter preparedness programs can empower individuals to act decisively, potentially reducing the number of casualties in such events.

A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Training: The Right Choice

In light of the increasing frequency of active shooter incidents worldwide, investing in quality training is essential. A.L.I.V.E. (Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, Expose) Active Shooter Training offers a structured and effective approach to surviving such situations.

By choosing A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Training, individuals and organizations gain access to:

  • Expert Instruction: Learn from professionals with extensive experience in security and emergency response.
  • Practical Techniques: Engage in realistic scenarios that build confidence and preparedness.
  • Customized Programs: Training tailored to the specific needs and environments of participants.

In an unpredictable world, being prepared can make all the difference. Equip yourself and your organization with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to active shooter situations.

Contact A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Training today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you stay safe in any environment.

Sources: AP News , Routers , People

LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE AN ACTIVE SHOOTER!

"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."
J. Reid Meloy Ph.D. - ABPP Forensic Consultant, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit Faculty, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center
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Amazon Customer
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First, I know Mr. Julian well, he is a close friend and close professional colleague. Be certain-my review is unbiased, with the exception of also being from my perspective. One reason he is such a good friend is we are on the same page-and this book confirms that. I have young grandkids and we have very direct conversations about their personal safety and bullying. How many regularly tell their kids and grandkids-no matter what, you get away alive because a bad person only wants to hurt and kill people. Some may not like that-but it's effective. How many, when walking in stores, malls, playgrounds, regularly ask their kids and grandkids what they would do if someone tried to grab them? Our daughters, when in elementary school, had someone try to grab them from the bus stop (they were the only two)-their reactions saved them. The very small town we lived in (literally one traffic light) had someone try to kidnap a young girl-adults saw it and stopped it, keeping the bad guy until the SRO got there within minutes. It's real life, folks. The odds are nothing will happen-but our lives, and those of our dearest loved ones, are not "odds." The best thing every person-every family, business, school, etc.-can do is Be Prepared (Boy Scouts) and Improvise, Adapt, Overcome (US Marines). Mr. Julian lays it out very strong and very simple for every person to stay ALIVE-Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, Expose. No one is too young or old, strong or weak, to follow this. No special training-just a very strong mindset. Every school administrator, teacher, student, and parent should have this book as required reading at every grade.
Chris Story
Security professionals and others-Read and share this book. It could help save lives! I just read Michael Julian, CPI PPS CSP's book "10 Minutes To Live." I'm a voracious reader, often reading 3james -4 books at a time. At the same time I am discerning. If the back cover or first few pages don't make me want to continue, I move on fairly quickly. As a security professional, I have a critical eye for fluff and conjecture. With this book that was not the case. After the first chapter, I reached out to several colleagues and friends and recommended it. I also recommended Michael be a guest interview on a popular survival mindset podcast. This book is well written, well researched, cited, and yet easy to read and comprehend. It isn't a stale scholastic book on concept. It is an educational, read-and-apply-NOW manual for thinking through and surviving an active shooter event. His approach goes beyond the accepted "Run, Hide, Fight" and walks the reader through a mindset approach to surviving mass killing events. Regardless of background or experience, the author's simple and direct approach speaks volumes to the reader. The book is a must-read for security professionals and loved ones alike. It helps explain why and how mentally preparing now is simple survivability insurance in both corporate and personal settings. Well done! I look forward to more.
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Great information geared towards surviving an active shooter/active threat situation - A very good read in explaining how to survive an active shooter/active threat situation for the novice. Having years of experience from the military, law enforcement and now Executive Protection, Mr. Julian breaks down the information in a very easy way so that it may open the reader's eyes to be more situationally aware. With all of the past decades of mass threat incidents, I highly recommend this book. It may just save your life.
Richard Marruffo
Great book!!! - Very well written and easy to read. Fantastic information and really hits home. I also highly recommend the Surviving an Active Shooter course taught by Mr. Julian!
Cynthia C.
Informative - Well written & concise. I would recommend to anyone interested in learning more about this topic.
James Hamilton - Gavin de Becker's VP
Do not sub-contract your own security - Excellent read on action to take to survive an Active Shooter situation.


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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

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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.


Michael D. Julian - Creator of A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training

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.


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