active shooter

noun

plural active shooters

: a person who is illegally using a firearm to kill or try to kill people especially in a public place : a person who is shooting at people

Stunned shoppers and mall employees initially mistook the sound of glass breaking for gunshots, leading to false rumors of an active shooter.

—Caitlin Antonios

active shooter drills

Examples of active shooter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The review recommended refreshed training in active shooter response tactics and better coordination with IDOC in case of a high-risk inmate transport within Boise police jurisdiction. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026

Trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett and aviation supervisor pilot Robert Skankey died while assisting Flagstaff police pursuing an active shooter in a subdivision. —Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 19 Feb. 2026

Capitol Police hold monthly drills to combat active shooters and held one in recent months where the suspect was arrested, Sullivan said. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026

Harris notified one of the school's counselors after Gray allegedly asked her about active shooter drills. —Skyler Henry, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for active shooter

• microcomputer
• minicomputer
• supercomputer
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter
• suitor