Armed Individual on Campus

Should You Encounter an Armed Individual

If you witness any armed individual on campus at any time or if an individual is acting in a hostile or belligerent manner, immediately contact law enforcement at 911 or the Department of Public Safety.

While the possibility that you will be at or near the scene of a violent confrontation in our area is very small, you should make yourselves, and your family and friends, fully aware of what you may need to do to stay safe. The first steps in doing so require you to be alert to your surroundings at all times, and to stay informed. This document provides guidance to those citizens who may be caught in an active shooting situation. The response by Law Enforcement to these situations will be different.

First, a hostage situation differs from an Active Shooter scenario. A hostage situation is one in which a person takes control over another person, is demanding some type of action, and is not allowing the victim(s) being held to leave. The hostage taker is not actively killing or injuring people. The hostage taker is holding people against their will. In hostage situations, Police will respond and attempt to communicate with the hostage taker(s).

An “active shooter” is a person or persons who appear to be actively killing or attempting to kill people in a single location. These situations have happened in schools, shopping malls, businesses, streets, and other public venues. The situations are dynamic in nature, and require immediate action by law enforcement personnel to stop the shooter.

How one responds at an active shooter situation will be determined by the specific circumstances of the encounter. If you find yourself involved in an active shooter situation, try to remain calm and use the following guidelines as a strategy for survival.

If the armed subject is outside the building

• Turn off all the lights and close and lock all windows and doors.
• If you can do so safely, get all students on the floor and out of the line of fire.
• Move to a core area of the building if safe to do so and remain there until an “all clear” instruction is given by an authorized known voice.
• If the staff or students do not recognize the voice that is giving instructions, they should not change their status.
• Unknown or unfamiliar voices may be misleading and designed to give false assurances.

If the armed subject is inside the building

• If it is possible to flee the area safely and avoid danger, do so.
• Contact law enforcement at 911 or the Department of Public Safety with your location if possible.
• If flight is impossible, lock all doors and secure yourself in your space.
• Get down on the floor or under a desk and remain silent.
• Get students on the floor and out of the line of fire.
• Wait for the “all clear” instruction.

If the armed subject comes into your class or office

• There is no one procedure the authorities can recommend in this situation.
• Attempt to get the word out to other staff if possible, and call law enforcement at 911 or the Department of Public Safety if that seems practical.
• Use common sense. If hiding or fleeing is impossible, attempt to negotiate with the individual.
• Attempting to overcome the armed subject with force is a last resort that should only be initiated in the most extreme circumstances.
• Remember, there may be more than one active armed subject.
• Wait for the “all clear” instruction.
• Be careful not to make any changes to the scene of the incident since law enforcement authorities will investigate the area later.
• In case you must flee, do not go to the normal gathering site for your building. Get as far away from the shooting scene as possible and then contact authorities.

What you Should Expect From Law Enforcement Responding to an Active Shooter

• Police are trained to proceed as quickly as possible to the sound of the gunfire.
• Their purpose is to stop the shooter.
• Officers may be in plain clothes, patrol uniforms, or SWAT Uniforms armed with long rifles, shotguns, and/or handguns. They will have identification.
• Do as the officers direct you, and keep your hands visible at all times to show the officers you are not a threat.
• If possible, tell the officers where the shooter was last seen, and provide a full description of the shooter and any weapons used.
• Also be aware that the first responding police officers will not stop to assist injured people. Others will follow to treat the injured. First responding officers are trained to proceed as quickly as possible to the gunfire and to stop the shooter.

Keep in mind that even once you are in a safe location, the entire area is a crime scene. The police usually will not let anyone leave until the situation is completely under control. Police may ask for a statement of what you heard and observed. Your cooperation with the Police will be vital.

University Police Resources