Clayton Police Department's active shooter training fills up in 2 hours

Organizers said the free classes are filling up faster than officers ever imagined. As stories of active shooter situations at public venues unfold, more people want to be taught survival strategies.

"We had the recent event in Texas at the church," said Keith Garner with the Clayton Police Department. "It seems like it’s a recurring theme in the United States for these events."

Garner said the Clayton Police Department began searching for a way to prepare residents to navigate the terrifying situations. They just announced their first training class, available to all residents 16 and older.

"It filled up in about two hours," Garner said. "We were all shocked."

Garner said men and women of all ages and even heads of security at area churches registered for the training. Because of the high demand, Garner said the Clayton Police Department plans to expand its class schedule.

"We are going to try to host one of these classes every month," Garner said. "Right now, we are looking for a larger venue so we can get this information out to more people.”

Garner said, while he hopes his students will never need to use the "Avoid, Deny and Defend" skills, it's safer to be prepared.

“Get a little bit of knowledge and start incorporating that into your daily routine," he said. "And if something like this happens, you’ll be able to respond correctly.”