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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.


Etymology

Origin of active shooter

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Police rushed to the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday after receiving a call about an active shooter.

From The Wall Street Journal May 19, 2026

Initially, police deployed to an area around a high school with which the suspect was associated, until they received a call of an active shooter at the Islamic Center.

From Barron's May 18, 2026

More than 20 million adults have had active shooter training, learning how to keep doors shut or disarm a shooter, participating in multiplayer video simulations.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 18, 2025

"There are more perils customers can buy coverage for, especially around the active shooter product, but also strikes and riots."

From BBC Sep. 21, 2025

About 72% of the state and local officials who arrived at Robb Elementary before the gunman was killed received some form of active shooter training throughout their law enforcement careers.

From Salon May 23, 2024

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