Electronic Doors Slowed Police Response during Virginia Beach Active Shooter Incident

Police responding to the deadly mass shooting last week at a Virginia Beach municipal building were temporarily unable to confront the gunman or evacuate occupants because they didn’t have the key cards needed to open doors. Over the radio, they pleaded for the electronic cards and talked of bringing in a sledgehammer, an explosive charge, or other means of breaking down the doors. The attacker, a 40-year-old city employee, went from floor to floor shooting co-workers before he finally barricaded himself in an area on the second floor. It’s not clear how police eventually were able to get to him, but he was killed in the confrontation. The episode illustrated how door-lock technology that is intended to protect occupants can hamper police and rescue workers in an emergency. “That’s definitely a blind spot that this particular shooting has shown,” said Gregory Shaffer, a retired FBI agent. “We need to make sure that first responders have full access to the building.” Police in some cities have made arrangements to install lock boxes containing key cards or keys outside public and private buildings. Given this event, WaterISAC recommends utilities consider addressing how they would help facilitate building access for police and other first responders in their emergency response plans. Read the article at the Associated Press.