active shooter

American  

[ak-tiv shoo-ter] / ˈæk tɪv ˈʃu tər /

noun

1. a person who is presently using a gun to shoot people in a confined and populated area.

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Etymology

Origin of active shooter

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

When Adrian Metoyer first heard government officials describing his best friend as an “active shooter” and threat to his community, he was furious.

From Los Angeles Times

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said after the incident that the ICE agent was responding to an “active shooter situation” at his apartment complex, but the lack of injuries to anyone else at the scene and statements from neighbors have fueled speculation that the man may have been ringing in the new year by shooting a gun into the air.

From Los Angeles Times

“On December, 31st, an off duty ICE Officer bravely responded to an active shooter situation at his apartment complex. In order to protect his life and that of others, he was forced to defensively use his weapon and exchanged gunfire with the shooter,” read an emailed statement from Tricia McLaughlin, the department’s assistant secretary of public affairs.

From Los Angeles Times

Just like other students at Brown University, she was distraught after receiving an active shooter alert from the university's department of public safety.

From BBC

On top of longstanding fears of a potential active shooter situation, she now worries daily that ICE agents will show up.

From Los Angeles Times