Marietta Police Host "Active Shooter" Seminar

MARIETTA, Ga. - About 700 people attended the Marietta Police Department's first “Active Shooter” seminar at Marietta High School Wednesday night. The recent San Bernardino shooting was on the minds of many.

After the deadly mass shooting in California, the latest in a series of recent attacks at home and abroad, many Americans are on edge.

"I think about it all the time," said Stan Johnson, a concerned resident.

Marietta police taught those on hand how to improve their chances of survival.

The audience was told that an active shooter's goal is to kill as many people as possible and that if you can't safely escape, or hide from the assailant, you must be prepared to fight, knowing it could mean the difference between life and death.

Marietta Police Officer David Baldwin said, " We know that people are afraid and we don't want them to be we want them to be empowered, and we want them to know that what they do matters. We want them to have confidence when they go out and that's why what we taught tonight can apply to all ages and abilities."

Those who attended the seminar pray they'll never have to use the training, but should that day come, they'll be ready.  Valerie Johnson found the seminar, "Very informative some things I hadn't thought of."