Navy Yard Shooting - Taking a Step Back

When horrible events like yesterday's shootings at the Washington Navy Yard take place, I'm often asked for my opinion. Over the years, I've unfortunately had many occasions to develop a keen skepticism about these things. I remember the horrible events in Norway in 2011, after which pundits were quick to point the finger at al Qaeda; as I heard about the attack while driving back to housing (I was working in the Middle East at the time), I consciously thought to myself that the pundits ought to wait for the facts to come out. I had a sneaking suspicion that Norway wasn't an al Qaeda operation, and my beliefs were borne out while many commentators had to recant. The same challenges apply to the Washington Navy Yard shootings, as this op-ed notes.

Incidents such as these gain meaning only when they can be studied in detail, in order that the facts can inform improvements in security posture. Endless bloviating by ill-informed media commentators often complicates those efforts, as even expert commentators are often unfamiliar with the specific details of a given case. (I remember several law student friends making similar complaints about the coverage of the George Zimmerman verdict a few months ago, which included commentary by "experts" who admitted to being unfamiliar with the details of the case, or whom practiced completely different types of law in completely different states - in other words, their commentary did nothing to inform the viewer about the case, it merely filled air time. Now, consider how many more attorneys there are than bona fide security and/or terrorism experts.) The victims, their families, and you the viewers deserve better than sweeping generalizations, rumor, and hearsay in the wake of such tragic events.

Surviving Active Shooter Events

I apologize for the sporadic posting of late. Followers of the Operation Highlander blog will know that I've had a few bits and pieces to take care of.

As I write this, I'm currently undertaking a security-related course about which I'll speak in more detail later. Today, I've been watching the active shooter event at the Washington Navy Yard unfold by way of Ranger Up's Facebook feed. I wanted to post the following video, which circulated after the horrific events in Newtown a few months ago. The video is well made and simple, and the information is solid.


Godspeed to the sheep dogs who are currently working to secure the Washington Navy Yard.