Tenant Handbook
Active Shooter
How to Respond When an Active Shooter Is in Your Vicinity
Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your life. Remember that people tend to follow the lead of perceived authority figures (such as officials, faculty, or managers) in active shooter situations.
Evacuate
If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.
- Have an escape route and plan in mind
- Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
- Leave your belongings behindHelp others escape, if possible
- Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
- Keep your hands visible
- Follow the instructions of any police officer
- Do not attempt to move wounded people
- Call 911 when you are safe
Hide out
If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.
Your hiding place should:
- Be out of the active shooter's view
- Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)
- Not trap you or restrict your options for movement
To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:
- Lock the door
- Blockade the door with heavy furniture
If the active shooter is nearby:
- Lock the door
- Silence your cellphone and/or pager
- Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
- Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
- Remain quiet
If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:
- Remain calm
- Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter's location
- If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen
Take action against the shooter
As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:
- Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
- Throwing items and improvising weapons
- Yelling
- Committing to your actions
How to Respond When Law Enforcement Arrives
Law enforcement's purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.
- Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment
- Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns
- Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation
- Officers may shout commands and may push individuals to the ground for their safety
- Remain quiet, follow a law enforcement officer's orders immediately
How to React When Law Enforcement Arrives
- Remain calm and follow the officer's instructions
- Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
- Keep hands visible at all times
- Avoid making any quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety
- Avoid pointing, screaming, and/or yelling
- Do not stop to ask officers for help or directions when evacuating; just proceed in the direction from which the officers are entering the premises
Information to Provide to Law Enforcement or 911 Operator
- Location of the active shooter
- Number of shooters, if more than one
- Physical description of shooter(s)
- Number and type of weapons held by the shooter(s)
- Number of potential victims at the location
The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams composed of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises.
Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave the safe location or assembly point until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.