Hypothetically if security had no plan to evacuate, then it's up to the public to know what is best, then do it. That didn't happen. If security would have done that plan, how many would have not stopped bullets? What exactly would that plan have looked and sounded like?
The best idea I can come up with would be to have bullet proof barriers in the form of "watering stations" or 3 foot walls every few rows for sheltering in place. This would also hinder vehicle attacks. I would also include police snipers at multiple angles to take out any terrorist inside or outside the venue. You can build the venue in areas that have no high rise visibility from remote locations or block that visibility with canopies, awnings, trees, and walls. They may not provide shelter, but they will provide concealment and deter some snipers.
Very common sense stuff. The snipers might be an escalation in this scenario. We need to learn more about it. Like the watering station. Why not make many watering station/bathrooms that are Kevlar armour with folding, shields/wings. What if there is none of that available? What then is the best action?
Kevlar won’t stop rifle rounds well. Concrete structures around the perimeter like concessions and restrooms can help. I would put lower profile barriers in the crowd to not block their view. Large gates to allow access behind or under the stage for emergency could help. You could have “barrier vehicles” ready to deploy if needed. You could have lasers or spot lights ready to assist police snipers by blinding the suspect sniper. They could be part of the show otherwise. Most of my suggestions would have to be built into the venue and disguised as other functions to keep the crowd at ease. Concrete water fountains, short concrete planters, any buildings, statues. I think I’m done. Oh wait. We could use Civil War statues to protect the crowds........Well....
That is very comprehensive, but dependent on permanent infrastructure and great expense, and we all know that lives really do not matter to corporate structures of business. I particularly like the low profile concrete barriers, but they may not be oriented right. Here is what logically should be SOP. The performers and stage crew as well as security are taught a response mode for evacuation. In the case of a mass shooting at night, ALL LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF, that is site control and stage crew is told to open all exits immediately. The stage crew is told to leave microphones with switches on them, stage left, backstage or another shielded location and people trained to announce are shown the mics. Levels on those channels are left high throughout the show. When the shooting starts: A performer or stage crew accesses a microphone and gives an instruction with a KEY PHRASE that is spoken with direction to follow a small LED guide light that is shielded and directed away from the shooters so they cannot use it to target who is holding it. It can probably be affixed to something stationary after a few minutes. The audience is told that if they do see the guide light to move towards it and speak the KEY PHRASE loudly towards where they feel the most people are. Those that do not see the guide light are told to move towards others speaking the KEY PHRASE. The shooters have no clear targets and the people have a plan that leads them out.
