Staying Safe: Armed Individual on Campus

Should You Encounter an Armed Individual?

If you witness an armed individual on campus or notice someone acting in a hostile or belligerent manner, immediately contact law enforcement by calling 911 or the Department of Public Safety.

Although the likelihood of encountering a violent confrontation on or near campus is low, you and your family should understand how to respond in an emergency. To prepare, remain aware of your surroundings and stay informed about campus safety procedures. This guidance provides information for individuals who may encounter an active shooter situation. However, law enforcement officers respond differently to these incidents than they do to other emergencies.

How Hostage Situations Differ from Active Shooter Events

First, a hostage situation differs from an active shooter scenario. In a hostage situation, an individual takes control of another person, demands a specific action, and prevents the victim from leaving. Unlike an active shooter, the hostage taker does not actively kill or injure others. Instead, the individual holds victims against their will to gain leverage or achieve a specific objective. In these situations, police officers respond and attempt to establish communication with the hostage taker.

An active shooter is a person who appears to be actively killing or attempting to kill people in a single location. Such incidents have occurred in schools, shopping malls, businesses, streets, and other public venues. Because these events develop rapidly, law enforcement personnel must take immediate action to stop the shooter.

Every active shooter situation presents unique circumstances that influence how individuals should respond. If you encounter an active shooter, remain calm and use the following guidelines to help protect yourself and others.

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 reach a safe location, the entire area remains a crime scene. Police officers usually keep people at the scene until they gain full control of the situation.

Additionally, officers may ask you to provide a statement about what you heard and observed. Therefore, your cooperation with the police is vital.

University Police Resources