On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, Dylan Lyons, a news reporter in Orlando, Florida, was covering a story of a shooting that had left one dead. He and his photographer, Jesse Walden, were on the scene when the man suspected of committing the earlier shooting reappeared, this time taking aim at the two news crew members. Lyons was killed in the attack and Walden was critically injured, but the gunman didn’t stop there.
After the second set of shootings, the 19-year-old suspect entered a nearby home where he shot a 9-year-old girl and her mother. The child succumbed to her injuries and the mother was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was in critical condition. The suspect was apprehended and denied bond. No motive has been found for these additional attacks.
Mass Killings in Open Spaces and Residences
In a 20-year review of active shooter incidents, the FBI reported that more than a third of the 333 events that occurred during this time span were mass killings, meaning that three or more people lost their lives in the incident. Additionally, 50 of the active shooter incidents took place in open spaces, such as where the shooting of the two news crew members occurred, resulting in 895 casualties. The most common age range for active shooters targeting an open space was individuals in their 20s.
FBI statistics also reveal that 13 of the active shooter incidents during these two decades took place in residences, like where the 9-year-old child and her mom were shot. Incidents in these locations resulted in 89 casualties. Again, the most common age range for active shooters who targeted residences was those in their 20s.
Protecting Yourself When in Public and at Home
This data highlights the importance of learning how to protect yourself from active shooter incidents both when in public and, unfortunately, even while in the comforts of your own home.
A.L.I.V.E. offers active shooter survival training in Florida, as well as in all other states and even in international locations. This active shooter response is based on the five steps that can help improve your chances of survival in an active shooting incident, with A.L.I.V.E. standing for assess, leave, impede, violence, and expose.
We also offer online courses, providing maximum convenience and flexibility when learning how to protect yourself and your family during mass shooting events.