You’ve no doubt heard the term “the first 48”, referring to the two days following a homicide when detectives are most likely to locate crucial leads and evidence. Police who respond to gunfire also focus on the first 48, but in their world, it’s in seconds. Simply put, the sooner that officers can arrive on scene, the greater chance that suspects will be captured, weapons will be confiscated, and crucial evidence will be collected.
In this month’s blog entry, we highlight a real-world example of how rapid police response assisted by ShotSpotter GLS data, lead to the arrest of three gang members and the confiscation of three illegal firearms.
In a west coast city, at approximately 2 am, police dispatch received a ShotSpotter GLS alert notifying them of multiple shots fired.
Listen to the gunfire:
A nearby officer was immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived in time to spot a car speeding recklessly around a corner. As the officer pursued the suspect, the driver attempted to flee across a bridge to a neighboring city. The officer, now assisted by back up, maintained close pursuit until the suspect’s vehicle eventually slammed into a curb blowing out the car tires. Immediately after crashing, three adult males exited the car and a foot chase ensued. Fortunately, a perimeter had been set up by members of six different police precincts, and the suspects had nowhere to run. Police apprehended the men who were later determined to be gang members. They were arrested and three illegal firearms were confiscated.
Location of the incident as shown on the ShotSpotter Public Safety Console (PSC)
Following the successful arrest of the suspects, police used ShotSpotter GLS data to return to the scene of the original shooting where they obtained bullet casings that will support prosecution efforts.
In the above situation, seconds truly mattered, as the rapid police response allowed the responding officer to witness the fleeing car, enabling an eventual capture of the suspects.
Had officers been dispatched from the lone 9-1-1 call, coming in a full minute after the ShotSpotter alert, the outcome could have been much different.
About the Success of the Month
Each month we feature an incident where a customer’s ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System played an integral role in removing a threat from our streets. The ShotSpotter GLS provides law enforcement with near real-time alerts, aggregated intelligence data, and forensic data that regularly lead to a successful arrests, weapons confiscations and prosecutions.
*Please note that some incident details have been altered to preserve both customer and public privacy.
In last month’s blog entry, we wrote about how first responders use ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System (GLS) data to quickly locate and assist gunshot victims. The same comprehensive incident information and rapid response also increase arrests and confiscations. This month’s example comes from the southeast and features the arrest of a gunman with several outstanding warrants, and the confiscation of an illegal firearm.
At approximately 10:30am, 25 rapid gunshots fired from an automatic rifle cut through the morning air. Listen to the gunfire:
Within seconds, the city’s ShotSpotter GLS alerted police dispatchers to a multiple-shots fired incident on 1st Street.
Location of the incident as shown on the ShotSpotter Public Safety Console (PSC)
Officers were quickly dispatched, and arrived on scene in time to locate the gunman as he was fleeing. After a quick pursuit, a young male suspect was apprehended without incident. After taking the gunman into custody, they discovered he had multiple warrants out for his arrest. Police searching the scene also uncovered an illegal rifle and ammunition.
About the Success of the Month
Each month we feature an incident where a customer’s ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System played an integral role in removing a threat from our streets. The ShotSpotter GLS provides law enforcement with near real-time alerts, aggregated intelligence data, and forensic data that regularly lead to a successful arrests, weapons confiscations and prosecutions.
*Please note that some incident details have been altered to preserve both customer and public privacy.
The greatest benefit of ShotSpotter technology is that it helps law enforcement and first responders save lives. From day one, this has been the driving force behind our company, and our efforts to continually improve our technology and develop new products. A recent example of the life-saving benefits of the ShotSpotter GLS comes from a crime hot spot in a populous west coast city.*
At approximately 2am, a furious gun battle erupted lasting over 20 seconds. Click below to listen to the jaw-dropping audio clip.
Within seconds, the city’s ShotSpotter GLS system detected the incident, classified it as multiple gunshots and sent the information and location to police command center. After reviewing the incident data, police dispatch notified officers in the area to a precise intersection where the gun battle occurred.
Location of the incident as shown on the ShotSpotter Public Safety Console (PSC)
Upon arriving at the scene, officers spotted two victims, both suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim was severely injured, but was medevaced in time to save his life. Thanks to accurate gunshot location data provided by the ShotSpotter GLS along with rapid response from police and first responders, a tragic situation was avoided.
Amazingly, even after such an intense, extended shootout, not one 9-1-1 call was received.
Plot of the location of each round fired. Source: ShotSpotter forensic report.
About the Success of the Month
Each month we feature an incident where a customer’s ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System played an integral role in removing a threat from our streets. The ShotSpotter GLS provides law enforcement with near real-time alerts, aggregated intelligence data, and forensic data that regularly lead to a successful arrests, weapons confiscations and prosecutions.
*Please note that some incident details have been altered to preserve both customer and public privacy.
May 2009, 5:30pm - Multiple shots ring out in a west coast city.
Within seconds, the ShotSpotter GLS detects the incident and classifies it as multiple gunshots. Audio and visual data are sent by the GLS to police command center.
Police dispatch reviews the incident data and notifies nearby officers to look at the side of the residence. Officers on scene locate two weapons leaning up against the house; an SKS rifle with the butt-end sawed off and a semi-automatic pistol. A search of the residence turns up a second handgun. The weapons are confiscated and submitted for fingerprinting to determine whether they are connected to other crimes.
In a trend that is all too common in urban areas, only one 9-1-1 call is received, and it arrives 20 minutes after the incident.
Thanks to solid police work and the comprehensive incident data from the ShotSpotter GLS, additional threats have been removed from our streets.
Weapons confiscated
SKS rifle with butt-end sawed off
Semi-automatic handgun
Semi-automatic handgun
About the Success of the Month
Each month we feature an incident where a customer’s ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System played an integral role in removing a threat from our streets. The ShotSpotter GLS provides law enforcement with near real-time alerts, aggregated intelligence data, and forensic data that regularly lead to a successful arrests, weapons confiscations and prosecutions. Please note that some incident details have been altered to preserve both customer and public privacy.
Copyright 2010 ShotSpotter, Inc. All rights reserved.
ShotSpotter Gunshot Location System and the ShotSpotter logo are registered trademarks of ShotSpotter, Inc.
ShotSpotter GLS technology is protected by one or more issued U.S. and foreign patents, with other domestic and foreign patents pending.
