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Las Vegas massacre has many wondering how to stay safe at public events

Posted at 6:44 PM, Oct 02, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-02 18:44:36-04

The Las Vegas massacre is likely to lead to new security procedures to keep us safe. Some you’ll see, some you may not. 

Andy Arena is the retired FBI agent in charge in Detroit who has worked several high profile cases including the so-called Underwear Bomber who tired to blow up a flight into Detroit on Christmas Day 2009. 

“We’re going to have to step back and take a look at something we never really thought about. How do we defend outdoor soft targets that have limited security? How do you negate the high ground?”

 A change could be as simple as a hotel scanning your bags when you check in, similar to the airport.

The Vegas gunman opened fire from 32 stories up in the Mandalay Bay Hotel.  He had more than a dozen rifles, ammo and planned this attack. 

“You can see more of your target. You can fire down. That’s a much better position to be in. This guy tactically was very sound,” said Arena.

There are things you can do to keep yourself safe. The standard now being taught in active shooter situations is run, hide or fight.  But you can’t fight when a sniper is on the attack. 

Metro Detroit has so-called soft targets all over, music venues, festival sites. The dynamics of Vegas changed everything. And it may not be considered domestic terrorism. 

“Terrorism isn’t the act itself, isn’t the result. It’s the purpose. What are you trying to do? You trying to get a political message or religious message out there, whatever? So it isn’t the end result. It’s the purpose that deems it to be terrorism or not,” Arena said.