May 22, 2025
While we hope that our students never face violence or threatening situations in their daily lives, we aim to ensure the lessons learned within the safe space of Combat Survival Tactics remain with them. This was proven true when a former Combat Survival Tactics student had to confront a gunman at Crawley College last year.
The intruder, carrying a blank-firing firearm and a knife, entered the college intent on causing chaos. He pointed the firearm at teachers and pulled the trigger repeatedly. As gunshots echoed through the campus, two brave college employees—including the former Combat Survival Tactics student—headed toward the danger, unaware the gun was an imitation.
Despite not having trained for over a year, the student’s training instinctively kicked in, enabling him to approach the situation with clarity. He attempted to gain control of the frightening and chaotic scene, protecting his fellow students and teachers.
At Combat Survival Tactics, we emphasize mindset training and building the confidence to face challenges head-on. This mental preparation can often make the difference between an attacker escalating or de-escalating a situation. However, the attacker in this instance did not back down, requiring the bravery and skills learned through Combat Survival Tactics to subdue him.
The Incident:
Sussex Police classified the event as a spontaneous firearms incident (SFI), summoning assistance from neighboring forces, including Surrey, the Met, Kent, Hampshire, Thames Valley, and British Transport Police.
Spotting the intruder threatening a teacher, the former Combat Survival Tactics student used his training to disarm the knife-wielding attacker and restrain him until police arrived. This courageous intervention, alongside another brave individual, ensured no further injuries were sustained. Both men sustained minor injuries but successfully pinned the attacker to the ground until police and counterterrorism officers arrived.
Recognition:
This heroic act highlights the value of what we teach in Combat Survival Tactics. The tutors’ dedication to instilling practical skills and mental resilience clearly paid off. Judge Christine Laing QC, as reported by the BBC, praised the “utterly extraordinary bravery” of the two men, stating:
“Their instinctive desire to run straight at danger to protect their students is one of the most remarkable things I have ever seen in this job.”
A Message from the Hero:
We were touched to receive the following message from the student involved in the incident:
“Hi Keith, I’m sure you saw what happened at the College yesterday. Wanted you to know that what you taught me stopped my friend from getting badly hurt. We disarmed the guy and only got some small cuts. I just wanted to thank you once again for what you taught me.”
We couldn’t be prouder of his bravery. It’s a testament to the training and principles taught in our Combat Survival Tactics classes.