ISIS Mall Attack - How can we prepare?

[The Annoyed Man]

Have you noticed that you don't ever see products being delivered to stores via the main hallways in malls?

That's because there is a series of back hallways behind all the stores where these activities take place.

My instruction to my family for an active shooter situation in a mall is to run to the rear of whatever store they're in, go through the door labeled "employees only," go around, over, or through anyone who tries to stop them, and follow the exit signs into the service corridor and out of the building. .

The same plan works for most other stores and restaurants (where you go through the kitchen), except there is no service corridor.

I think this is exactly right--if a terror group posts-up outside mall entrances they are most likely to do so at the major access points and not the emergency/service entries.

Further, if there ARE BGs posted at the service doors, the back storage areas of any small retail store are more likely IMO to serve as decent hiding places than anywhere else in the mall.

Here's some food for thought....

A bad guy enters the mall through an anchor store, goes through a shop into a back corredor, where he opens a door to the outside and lets his cohorts in with all the guns. They hand him his, and they "magically" appear among the shoppers and begin shooting. Video surveillance actually makes it initially harder for first responders to diagnose what's going on, because there is NO FOOTAGE of armed men entering through the JC Penney's, etc.

My point is, exiting through the back hallways and doors is a good strategy, but DON'T take it for granted that there will be no hostile surprises along the way.

[simianangel]

Have you noticed that you don't ever see products being delivered to stores via the main hallways in malls?

That's because there is a series of back hallways behind all the stores where these activities take place.

My instruction to my family for an active shooter situation in a mall is to run to the rear of whatever store they're in, go through the door labeled "employees only," go around, over, or through anyone who tries to stop them, and follow the exit signs into the service corridor and out of the building. .

The same plan works for most other stores and restaurants (where you go through the kitchen), except there is no service corridor.

I think this is exactly right--if a terror group posts-up outside mall entrances they are most likely to do so at the major access points and not the emergency/service entries.

Further, if there ARE BGs posted at the service doors, the back storage areas of any small retail store are more likely IMO to serve as decent hiding places than anywhere else in the mall.

Here's some food for thought....

A bad guy enters the mall through an anchor store, goes through a shop into a back corredor, where he opens a door to the outside and lets his cohorts in with all the guns. They hand him his, and they "magically" appear among the shoppers and begin shooting. Video surveillance actually makes it initially harder for first responders to diagnose what's going on, because there is NO FOOTAGE of armed men entering through the JC Penney's, etc.

My point is, exiting through the back hallways and doors is a good strategy, but DON'T take it for granted that there will be no hostile surprises along the way.

I remember hearing one of the movie mass murderers come in through the out door. Was that confirmed?

[simianangel]

In the real world if you're having a multipoint attack on a mall Nigeria style, your best bet is to haul keister. So I guess I'd recommened preparing by practicing wind sprints.

Run like a scalded cat.

[VoiceofReason]

Curse allah and/or muhammad?

I'm the one with the 1911, they are the ones with AKs?

Don't they all get an AK as a graduation gift from grade school?

[simianangel]

http://bearingarms.com/westgate-coming- ... ampaign=nl

That was a thought provoking video. Thank you for posting it.

[jimlongley]

Have you noticed that you don't ever see products being delivered to stores via the main hallways in malls?

That's because there is a series of back hallways behind all the stores where these activities take place.

My instruction to my family for an active shooter situation in a mall is to run to the rear of whatever store they're in, go through the door labeled "employees only," go around, over, or through anyone who tries to stop them, and follow the exit signs into the service corridor and out of the building. .

The same plan works for most other stores and restaurants (where you go through the kitchen), except there is no service corridor.

I think this is exactly right--if a terror group posts-up outside mall entrances they are most likely to do so at the major access points and not the emergency/service entries.

Further, if there ARE BGs posted at the service doors, the back storage areas of any small retail store are more likely IMO to serve as decent hiding places than anywhere else in the mall.

Here's some food for thought....

A bad guy enters the mall through an anchor store, goes through a shop into a back corredor, where he opens a door to the outside and lets his cohorts in with all the guns. They hand him his, and they "magically" appear among the shoppers and begin shooting. Video surveillance actually makes it initially harder for first responders to diagnose what's going on, because there is NO FOOTAGE of armed men entering through the JC Penney's, etc.

My point is, exiting through the back hallways and doors is a good strategy, but DON'T take it for granted that there will be no hostile surprises along the way.

As I telephone man I spent a lot of time in those back corridors. Not all stores have them, but I always try to stay aware of their locations and incorporate them in any exit tactics I might anticipate.

[Excaliber]

Have you noticed that you don't ever see products being delivered to stores via the main hallways in malls?

That's because there is a series of back hallways behind all the stores where these activities take place.

My instruction to my family for an active shooter situation in a mall is to run to the rear of whatever store they're in, go through the door labeled "employees only," go around, over, or through anyone who tries to stop them, and follow the exit signs into the service corridor and out of the building. .

The same plan works for most other stores and restaurants (where you go through the kitchen), except there is no service corridor.

I think this is exactly right--if a terror group posts-up outside mall entrances they are most likely to do so at the major access points and not the emergency/service entries.

Further, if there ARE BGs posted at the service doors, the back storage areas of any small retail store are more likely IMO to serve as decent hiding places than anywhere else in the mall.

Here's some food for thought....

A bad guy enters the mall through an anchor store, goes through a shop into a back corredor, where he opens a door to the outside and lets his cohorts in with all the guns. They hand him his, and they "magically" appear among the shoppers and begin shooting. Video surveillance actually makes it initially harder for first responders to diagnose what's going on, because there is NO FOOTAGE of armed men entering through the JC Penney's, etc.

My point is, exiting through the back hallways and doors is a good strategy, but DON'T take it for granted that there will be no hostile surprises along the way.

I remember hearing one of the movie mass murderers come in through the out door. Was that confirmed?

Yes. Aurora, CO.

[RoyGBiv]

Along these same lines, how do you let the good guys know you aren't a bad guy?

Curse allah and/or muhammad?

Yell.... "Aloha Snackbar"

[Jumping Frog]

Yell.... "Aloha Snackbar"

Infidel!! Wolverine!!!

[flytoride]

Longview mall is 30.06

It's okay; no one goes there anyway.

[ELB]

We lived in siege-conditions in South Africa for decades, and life just has to go on.

Weigh the risk, carry everywhere you can (and carry alternate weapons when you can't). Know your exits, note cover and concealment, protect your family first, protect yourself and others if you can, die like a Viking if you have to.

Nice summation. Can I add one piece of advice?

Wear some decent footwear.

Something that's not going to fall off and will let you dash through terrain that is no longer flat and smooth and obstacle free.

Every time I see pictures of some mass ugly event, there are shoes and flipflops laying everywhere, and people (mostly dead in the pics) barefoot or sock-footed. It doesn't matter whether it is a terrorist attack or a big fire or what, people where comfy-slob outfits with sandals or crocs or some such, and then end up running through broken glass and rubble. Or not running once they carve up their feet. /endrant.

[Panzer Possum]

Yell.... "Aloha Snackbar"

They have fantastic bacon wrapped pineapple bites. Pairs well with a Saint Arnold.

[Abraham]

ELB,

Your footwear advice is spot on.

Except for when I'm cycling, I wear all leather, Vasque Sundowner boots.

I wore them hiking off trail in Big Bend National Park and never had an issue with the stabbing plant life everywhere I walked and if I had to, I could run in them much like I use to wearing combat boots in the Army. (though my right knee ain't what it used to be with meniscus surgery, but I digress...)

[The Annoyed Man]

Yell.... "Aloha Snackbar"

Infidel!! Wolverine!!!

Don't forget "Leroy Jenkins!!!!!"

[Dadtodabone]

Yell.... "Aloha Snackbar"

Infidel!! Wolverine!!!

Don't forget "Leroy Jenkins!!!!!"

"At least I've got chicken!"