Workplace shooting prevention should be priority, former FBI agent says
Apr 10, 2023, 2:00 PM | Updated: Jan 5, 2024, 1:10 pm
LOUISVILLE, KY - APRIL 10: Crime scene tape cordons off a street as law enforcement officers respond to an active shooter near the Old National Bank building on April 10, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)
(Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Concern over what people should do in a workplace shooting is growing in the wake of Monday morning’s shooting at a Louisville, Kentucky bank that left at least four people dead.
Former FBI Special Agent Greg Rogers said shootings have become much more common over the course of his career. According to Rogers, the average American workplace is not prepared for a potential shooting.
“There needs to be much more training. People just aren’t prepared,” Rogers said, adding that preparation is important because “These types of shootings are becoming, tragically, much more common.”
But, Rogers said, the focus should be on preventing a shooting in the workplace from happening in the first place.
Calling out anything suspicious at work and preventing tragedy ahead of time should be our first priority.
Businesses should train employees to call out anyone who threatens violence or says anything suspicious.
“A coworker says something, there’s often a hesitancy to bring that to the attention of management.”
According to Rogers, taking action in the middle of a shooting should be the last resort.
But, if you ever find yourself in an active shooter situation, Rogers said to run and hide first. Fighting should only be a last resort.
Rogers also says he doesn’t recommend people get a conceald carry permit to prepare for something like this because just having one doesn’t mean you can effectively use it in situations like this.
“The normal person is not going to fight with that person. They don’t have the skill set to do that, they have no business trying to do that. They need to run.”
