"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."
What the Charlotte Train Tragedy Teaches Us-and How A.L.I.V.E. Training Could Help
On August 22, 2025, a fatal stabbing aboard a Charlotte, North Carolina light-rail train shocked the community and underscored a hard truth: violence can occur anywhere, at any time. While no training can eliminate all danger, A.L.I.V.E.® Active Threat Training helps people recognize risks sooner and respond faster-actions that can reduce harm when seconds matter.
What We Know About the Incident
Authorities say the attack appeared unprovoked. Reporting indicates the assailant sat near the victim for several minutes before producing a knife and attacking. Law enforcement later filed federal charges following the homicide investigation.
Sources:
Gaps That Commonly Increase Risk on Transit
- Constrained environments: Enclosed cars limit escape routes and delay separation from threats.
- Short warning windows: Assailants can close distance quickly, leaving little time to react.
- Limited reporting channels: Passengers may not know how to discreetly alert staff or 911 from onboard.
- Bystander hesitation: Without training, people freeze, minimize danger, or delay action.
How A.L.I.V.E.® Training Improves Outcomes
The A.L.I.V.E. method teaches simple, memorable actions that reduce panic and drive decisive response. It stands for:
- A - Assess: Heighten situational awareness. Scan seating position, exits, and behavior cues (e.g., unusual proximity, concealment movements, fixation).
- L - Leave: When feasible, relocate or exit early. Changing cars or disembarking at the next stop can create crucial distance.
- I - Impede: If escape isn't possible, use barriers (seats, poles, bags), create obstacles, and disrupt the attacker's access to targets.
- V - Violence (last resort): If imminent danger is unavoidable, commit fully to survival actions with improvised tools and coordinated bystander response.
- E - Expose: When safe, communicate the threat-activate emergency intercoms, call 911, notify operators, and guide others to safety.
Practical Takeaways for Transit Agencies & Organizations
- Train staff and riders: Incorporate active threat awareness into onboarding and public campaigns. Post clear instructions for reporting from onboard.
- Harden the environment: Enhance cameras, sightlines, and emergency intercom visibility; ensure PA systems convey plain-language alerts.
- Drill realistic scenarios: Practice rapid car-to-car communication, station-stop response, and coordinated law-enforcement handoff.
- Promote early reporting: Encourage "trust your instincts." Early seat changes or discreet alerts often prevent proximity-based attacks.
A.L.I.V.E.®: Built for Real-World Places-Including Public Transit
A.L.I.V.E. training blends recognition (threat detection and pre-attack cues) with action (step-by-step survival decisions). It's designed for everyday people in offices, schools, houses of worship, and public spaces like buses and trains-so they can act with clarity under stress.
Bring A.L.I.V.E.® to Your Team
If you oversee a transit system, city department, campus, or business near transit corridors, now is the time to strengthen preparedness. Train your staff, empower your community, and reduce response times when seconds count.
Learn more or schedule a session today
You can't predict every threat-but you can prepare for one.
img src: ABC 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
Places of worship
Schools & Universities
Venues
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.