On April 17, a lone gunman opened fire at Florida State University, killing two people and wounding six others. As students ran for their lives and others barricaded themselves in place, responding officers raced toward the sound of gunfire. Their swift, decisive action stopped the shooter before more lives were lost.
The attack left two people dead and six wounded. It is a tragic day when these events occur, but for the sake of everyone in our profession, it is important to reinforce aspects of this police response that can serve as an example to be emulated when your time comes.
| RELATED: Sheriff: Florida State University shooter identified as deputy’s son, used former agency weapon
Here are 17 tactical takeaways from the police response to the Florida State University active shooter:
1. Florida State was not a Virginia Tech. On April 16, 2007, an active killer gunned down 33 people at Virginia Tech. At Florida State University, it was a similar attack, but thanks to the immediate and effective police response, only two died — a stark contrast to Virginia Tech.
2. Long guns for long shots. Officers responding to the scene nearly universally armed themselves with rifles equipped with tactical slings and appeared proficient in their use and manner of carry.
3. Every officer wore body armor. Even plainclothes officers had body armor and were wearing it comfortably, indicating they train with it regularly.
4. Officer fitness made a difference. Officer fitness levels, in most cases, demonstrated that they actively train to be physically prepared for the inevitable demands of their career. One officer, in full gear, was seen courageously sprinting toward the gunfire — and he looked like an Olympic athlete in the way he moved under that load. He also appeared well-conditioned enough to engage the suspect after his long, high-speed run toward danger. Bravo!
5. Officers rode to the sound of the guns. The old cavalry adage still fits perfectly. If no other information is available but you hear shooting — like these officers did at the FSU Student Union — ride to the sound of the guns. Officers arrived as fast as possible. Without this direct response, the casualties would likely have been much higher.
6. Get to the threat, not the wounded. Officers gathered information and bypassed the casualties to get to the shooter. Their ability to assess quickly and neutralize the threat minimized further loss of life.
7. Take the shot when lives are at stake. It has been reported that officers issued commands, but the suspect failed to comply. They immediately engaged him, gave clear commands that witnesses confirmed, and when he didn’t respond, they stopped the threat and secured the killer and his weapons.
8. Post-shooting coordination was strong. Once the shooter was down, multiple responding agencies worked together to search for additional threats, rescue students, provide medical aid and secure the crime scene. It was done quickly and effectively.
9. Students were prepared. It was evident that students were prepared for this possibility. Those who could immediately put distance between themselves and the shooter did so without hesitation, warning others as they passed. Those trapped inside the Union — the location of the attack — hid and effectively barricaded themselves, waiting for officers to arrive. The training provided to students nationwide is clearly helping to minimize casualties during these events. Keep up the good work!
10. Watch the calendar. As April 20 approaches each year, be on heightened alert at schools, malls, hospitals and other vulnerable locations. It’s not just “420” — it’s also Hitler’s birthday, and many killers choose this date to emulate past mass murderers. Think: Oklahoma City bombing (April 19, 1995), Columbine (April 20, 1999) and Virginia Tech (April 16, 2007). September 11 and now October 7 — the date of the Hamas attack on Israel — are also dates to watch. Make proactive, legal stops on these days to protect your communities.
11. Train like lives depend on it. Because they do. You can’t overtrain your protective skills — from hands-on tactics to deadly force. When the moment comes, you’ll have seconds to act. Regular, realistic training makes the right response instinctive.
12. Practice the dismount drill. One overlooked gem of a training drill is the dismount drill. I used to do this often, using a cleared weapon for safety purposes. All you need to do is repeatedly exit your squad, acquire your patrol rifle, sling it and move to a ready position. Repetition builds muscle memory, so when your moment comes, the movement is second nature.
13. “If you can hit the pea, you can hit the pumpkin.” One of my firearms instructors, Lt. Gerard Kabat, once taught me an exercise by saying, “If you can hit the pea, you can hit the pumpkin.” He would place a small white piece of paper on a critical spot on the head of a realistic target and explain, “Stop aiming at the whole pumpkin — meaning the entire head — and aim at the pea, the small piece of white paper on the pumpkin.” Then he’d add the time-honored axiom: “When you aim small, you’ll miss small.” This drill, which I practiced often throughout my life, improved my skills immeasurably.
14. Know the five phases of active shooters. Active killers typically follow five phases: Fantasy, Planning, Preparation, Approach and Implementation. Being aware of these phases can help you detect warning signs before a tragedy happens.
15. Monitor mental health and radicalization. We’re seeing increases in both mental illness and extreme radicalization — and sometimes they merge in dangerous ways. Mental illness often first appears between ages 14 and 24, but radicalization can happen at any age. Treat every threat to kill as a promise, and take legal action accordingly.
16. Be ready 24/7. This was the second active shooter incident in a single week at a location with a prior history of violence. On April 16, four students were shot at a Dallas high school that had previously experienced a shooting. Florida State University itself also has a history — in 2014, a gunman opened fire inside the campus library, wounding three students before being shot and killed by police. In both recent cases, a rapid police response minimized casualties. Whether you’re on duty, off duty, or retired, you must have a personal response plan. If you ever find yourself in the middle of one of these events, be equipped — at the very least — with a weapon, spare magazines and a charged phone. Preparedness isn’t optional; it’s essential.
17. Get the facts out fast. FSU Chief of Police Jason Trumbower and Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil quickly addressed the public and corrected misinformation. While news outlets falsely reported six deaths and two shooters, officials clarified that only two were killed and there was one suspect, who had been shot and taken into custody. The sheriff also shared a painful truth: the shooter had once been in the department’s youth program and was the stepson of a respected deputy. That level of transparency is difficult — but necessary. I applaud the sheriff’s candor.
Two people were killed, at least five were wounded, and one person is in custody in a shooting on Thursday at Florida State University in Tallahassee, according to FSU Chief of Police Jason Trumbower. Click for more details from this press conference ➡ https://t.co/yfH8Se0eJu pic.twitter.com/E0DM3kXZNN
— News 6 WKMG (@news6wkmg) April 17, 2025
The multiple agencies that responded to this tragedy blended seamlessly under pressure. They set the standard for how to enter chaos and restore order with courage and coordination.
My dear readers, this is your moment to reflect. Your day may be just over the horizon. Now is the time to recall your sacred oath — to protect and serve — and commit yourself to mentally, emotionally, physically and tactically PREPARE.
