active shooter

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A person actively engaged in a shooting spree.

   • In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.
   • “When you have an active shooter going after people at random—a shooter with a plan,” he said, “that's completely different than your typical barricade hostage situation.”
   • Today, the sound of gunshots often prompts “active shooter” warnings on social media, whether or not the event fits the F.B.I.’s definition of the term. In many cases, reports of active shooters have turned out to be false.
2. 2

   Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

   Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see active, shooter.

   • First there is the active shooter who is highly interested in either competition or hunting.
   • Today Howard is still an active shooter and still enjoys hunting the local game.

The neighborhood