10 things you should do or consider after a self defense shooting

These are things that should be thought about well before any involvement, and should be thought about often, in order to effectively deal with your traumatic event, should it ever happen to you. If you are involved in a self-defense shooting, CCW Safe can greatly assist you by providing all the financial support for attorneys, expert witnesses and investigators.

Here are 10 suggestions you should consider if you ever are forced to use your gun in self defense.

1. MAKE SURE YOU ARE SAFE: Make sure that everyone involved, which may be you, your family, or others, are safe from any threat before doing anything. Verify that the suspect is down and no longer poses a threat. Visually scan for other suspects and visually verify that the suspect no longer has access to a weapon. Do not approach the suspect or move evidence.
2. INITIATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE: From a position of cover (do not leave the scene) call 911 for police assistance. Request emergency medical services. These services may be for you, your family, or for others, including the suspect. Do not discuss the incident with dispatch in depth, only give brief facts of the case. Think of things such as “I was forced to defend myself”, “I was in fear for my life”, or “I was attacked”. Try not to use phrases such as “I killed someone” or “I just shot someone”. Describe what you are wearing and let the dispatcher know you will not have your weapon in your hand when the officers arrive. For members of CCW Safe initiate our response by calling our 800 Emergency Line on your membership card. Remember officers will probably remove your phone and routinely separate all involved in cars which is common in any deadly force case so call CCW Safe following your call to 911or as soon as allowed.
3. PREPARE FOR RESPONDING OFFICERS: This happens before officers arrive on the scene. As you hear or see police cars or officers getting close, holster your weapon. If you have time retrieve your concealed carry permit, your driver’s license (if you have it) and your CCW Safe card; placing them in your front pocket. Officers responding to a shooting incident often have a heightened level of concern for their safety so be prepared to follow their directions. Raise your empty hands above your head with palms facing officers and listen to their commands. They may tell you to get on the ground, and if they do, comply with their request as there are times information of who the suspect is not conveyed through the dispatcher before the first officer arrives. They may see something that you don’t, or it may make them feel safer. Remember the first call to 911 could have been from a witness.
4. PROVIDE INITIAL INFORMATION: Remember your defense begins with you… What you say and do can make or break your case. Provide initial information to the responding officers. Some things that can explain your situation might be “I AM THE VICTIM”, “I HAD TO USE THE WEAPON IN SELF DEFENSE”, “I WAS FORCED TO DEFEND MY LIFE”, “THAT IS THE SUSPECT”, “MY WEAPON IS SECURE IN MY HOLSTER”, “MY CCW PERMIT IS IN MY HAND ALONG WITH A NUMBER FOR MY LAWYER”, “I WILL GIVE A FULL STATEMENT IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ATTORNEY”.  Please keep in mind if you believe what you did was wrong or you have concerns about your decision to use deadly force do not speak about the incident without being in the presence of your attorney.
5. IDENTIFY CASE ELEMENTS TO OFFICERS: What you don’t say could also hurt your case… There are certain basic case elements the responding officers are looking for when they arrive. Again, the details of the incident should only be shared in the presence of your attorney but break your silence to share case elements; especially if it would cause your defense to unravel at the start. Some basic case elements might include the following: “THAT IS THE SUSPECT”, “THAT PERSON OVER THERE IS A WITNESS”, “THERE IS THE SUSPECTS WEAPON OR CASINGS”. Sometimes witnesses decide to disappear when the officers start asking questions or police officers drive their cars over evidence.
6. INFORM OFFICERS OF INJURIES: You should have already requested medical personnel to the scene but they will not approach until it is safe. Let officers know of any injuries and make sure that they are documented before you are cleaned up, unless the injuries are life threatening. If you are injured in any way, request to be taken to the hospital for evaluation. This is not the time to be macho because your injuries can be presented to support your decision to use deadly force. Remember just because you are not bleeding doesn’t mean you should not be checked for internal injuries that you may not realize you have due to the adrenaline overload associated with facing a traumatic occurrence.
7. BE THE FIRST TO CALL 911: Be the first one to call 911… Even if you do not pull the trigger. Report to police you had to point your firearm at someone to defend your life so you are not seen as a suspect if that person leaves the scene and calls first. Always remember police officers commonly identify the first person who calls in as the victim and leans towards their story as the truth initially. If there are independent witnesses get their name and contact information if they are trying to leave.
8. YOU ARE A VICTIM. ACT LIKE ONE: Act like the victim you are… Do not get emotionally drawn into the excitement of others that witnessed a good guy triumph over a bad guy. If you are ever involved in a self defense shooting you should know each person reacts differently. Try to remain calm as even officers that arrive might display signs of elation and they may act or say things that to some would be considered inappropriate. Police officers deal with shootings, violent death and accidents daily, and respond and react to those incidents differently than people who are not around it. Witnesses or bystanders may become excited. Do not get drawn into their behavior, or show any non verbal, or express verbally signs of excitement.
9. CONTROL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT: Do not exchange stories with witnesses or news personnel on the scene. Do not post anything on social media, or share through any device information to family or friends. Do not make off color comments or laugh at the jokes of others.
10. PROVIDE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ONLY: Give the responding officers your basic identifying information only. Explain to them that you would like to give a full statement and interview in the presence of your attorney. If you are a CCW Safe member you could let authorities know you have representation for self defense actions involving deadly use of force.

Please be alert, safe out there and remember assess every situation asking yourself, “If I didn’t have a weapon on me at this time what would I do?” That one question could keep you from being launched into a traumatic incident that will change your life.