Active Shooter

Active shooter situations are unpredictable, and they evolve quickly. If you find yourself in the middle of such an event, your survival can depend on the way you respond. Try to stay calm and recall the guidelines outlined here.

In most cases, active shooters use firearms, and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Because active shooter situations often end before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

The following information was developed by The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center.

Learning How to Respond

This video from the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center shows what you should do that could potentially save your life.

Surviving an Active Shooter Event – Civilian Response to Active Shooter

Active Shooter Guidelines

Profile of an Active Shooter

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation

Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers
Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit
If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door
If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door
As a last resort, try to disarm the shooter. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee or hide, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.
CALL 9-1-1 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO

What you do matters, and we encourage you to remember these three key steps:

Avoid

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to immediately evacuate the premises:

Pay attention to your surroundings.
Familiarize yourself with the building’s exits.
Flee in the opposite direction of the shooter.
If you are being escorted by police, do not debate/question chosen routes of escape.

Deny

If evacuation is not possible, find a secure place to hide where the shooter is less likely to find you:

Go to a room that can be locked and/or secured and barricade it with desks, cabinets, tables, etc.
Turn out lights
Stay quiet and out of sight; take refuge behind another locked door, if possible.

Defend

As a last resort — and only when your life is in imminent danger — attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter.

Avoid standing directly behind or in the path of the door you are hiding behind
Physically position yourself in a manner to surprise the shooter if he/she gains entry to your room
As a last resort, try to disarm the shooter (grab the gun); coordinate efforts with co-workers and strike him/her with any weapons of opportunity.

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 behind
Help 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.