Dear FBI Community Partners,

The recent attack at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, underscores the enduring nature of violent threats posed to Jewish communities and other faith-based communities across our country. As one of our partners stated, “To be targeted at your place of worship…is one of the most heinous acts of violence that can be committed”. It is part of the FBI’s mission to protect your right and ability to congregate and worship in peace. As such we are asking you to help us communicate with any faith-based organization, regardless of sect or denomination, in order for them to: 1) know how to contact their local FBI office; 2) understand that the FBI is the lead law enforcement agency covering hate crimes; 3) raise awareness of potential threats to religiously affiliated facilities and groups; and 4) establish partnerships and information sharing between the FBI and faith-based communities ahead of any threat before a crisis strikes.

For now, the FBI has released videos demonstrating the three tactics you can use to keep yourself and others safe during an active shooter attack: run, hide, and fight. We encourage you to use these films in your work within the community, but please note some of the content is disturbing and therefore should not be screened for young audiences. A short description with links for each film are listed below:

“Run. Hide. Fight.” In this FBI training video, customers at a bar are caught in an active shooter event. By employing the run, hide, and fight tactics, as well as knowing the basics of rendering first aid to others, they are prepared, empowered, and able to survive the attack. https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/run-hide-fight-092120.mp4/view

“Prepare to Survive” This FBI training video describes how to employ the run, hide, and fight tactics to survive an active shooter incident. Although set in a house of worship, these principles can be applied anywhere. https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/prepare-to-survive-092120.mp4/view

Additional information is also available at FBI.gov/survive.

If you have any questions about these videos or the specialized training offered by our FBI El Paso field office, please reach out to our Community Outreach Specialist, Grace Lino-Fernandez at (915) 472-0517, or email: glinofernandez@fbi.gov.

We are committed to working with you, our partners, to protect schools, workplaces, houses of worship, or other public gathering sites in all communities. We appreciate all you can do to share this vital message with your fellow community members.

Respectfully,

Jeff

Jeffrey Downey
Special Agent in Charge
FBI El Paso Field Office
(915) 832-5000