An active shooter or active assailant event is defined as “one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.” – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
While highly unlikely, it is important for Scots to know what to do in the event of an active shooter or active assailant. If you do find yourself in an active shooter/armed aggressor event, use the following guidelines to help you survive the attack. You must quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that our students are likely to follow the lead of staff and faculty members during an active shooter situation.
Active Shooter or Active Assailant Inside Your Building
If you find yourself in an Active Shooter or Active Assailant situation, there are three things that you must do: 1. RUN. 2. HIDE. 3. FIGHT! Please watch the video below, produced by the City of Houston, TX, for instructions on each of these steps.
WARNING: Some of the content you are about to see may be disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
1. RUN.
If the shooter is not in your building/area, shelter in place or follow the directions of Campus Safety via the Rave Guardian app. If you are outside, do not go towards the building or area with the shooter. Instead, head in the opposite direction and meet others at the closest assembly area. Note: if the active shooter event is happening near an assembly area, stay away and go to an alternate assembly area or into the surrounding neighborhood.
If the shooter is in your building/area and it’s safe to do so, RUN from your location and exit the building. Do not run in a straight line – instead, alternate directions or “zigzag” so it is harder for the shooter to hit you. Don’t run in groups, stay spread out. Get to a safe location, preferably behind a sturdy, heavy object such as a vehicle, large tree, or another building.
Call 911. When you call 911 from a cell phone, you will be routed to the Wooster dispatch center (WARCOG) who will dispatch first responders from the Wooster Police and Fire Departments. Campus Safety will be notified by WARCOG, but you can also call 3333 from a campus phone or (330) 287-3333 to notify Campus Safety of your location and any known information about the assailant’s location, description, or any other pertinent information. If you cannot speak, still leave the phone line open so the dispatcher can hear what is happening around you. Only speak with the dispatcher when it is safe to do so.
If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:
- 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 law enforcement officers
- Do not attempt to move wounded people
- Call 911 when you are safe
Information to Provide 911 Operators:
- Location of the active shooter(s) if known
- Number of shooters
- Physical description of the shooter(s)
- Do you recognize the shooter?
- What clothes are they wearing?
- What color shoes? Hat? Mask?
- Do they have any distinguishing features?
- Skin tone? Hair color? Nationality?
- Male or female?
- Facial hair?
- Scars
- Birth marks?
- Tattoos?
- Number and type of weapon(s) the shooter has
- Handgun?
- Rifle/long gun?
- Knife?
- Number and location of potential victims
2. HIDE.
If you are unable to escape, your next option is to HIDE. Proceed to an area or room that gives you the most protection. Lock the door(s). Classrooms are currently being outfitted with new NightLock Door Barricades. To use, simply remove the red locking device from the plastic box near the door. The box is clearly labeled with “FOR EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN USE ONLY.” Insert the red device into the door and floor plates and move away from the door.
Next, even if you have installed the door barricade device, you should still barricade the door(s) by using desks, chairs or any other large, heavy objects to block the intruder’s entrance. Doing so also adds layers of protection from the shooter’s bullets.
If your location does not have a door jamming device, barricade the door by using desks, chairs, filing cabinets, or any other large, heavy objects to block or slow the intruder’s entrance. This will also help to absorb any bullets that may come through the door. Move away from the door, preferably to a corner that is to the left or right of the door. Never position yourself in front of the door. Lock all windows and doors. Turn off all lights. Turn off or completely silence your cell phones (including the vibrate function). Stay quiet and wait for an all-clear announcement from the RAVE Guardian system via email, text, and/or push notification.
For detailed instructions for installing the lockdown device, watch this video:
Active Shooter or Armed Aggressor Inside Your Room
3. FIGHT!
This should always be your last option. However, if the assailant is able to enter your room, you must FIGHT. You’re fighting for your life, and you MUST NOT FIGHT FAIR! If you’re in a group, designate a team of fighters who are capable of taking down the assailant. Wait in your hiding location against the wall beside the door. Upon the shooter’s entry, the first person should grab the shooter’s weapon from the top and push it down towards the ground. The second person should grab the shooter’s right arm, another grabs his left arm, the next person should wrap their arms around his legs and bearhug him at the knees as you push the shooter to the ground. Finally: FIGHT! The last person should attempt to strike the shooter in the head with scissors, a fire extinguisher, a chair, a rock, a lamp, or anything else that can be used as a weapon. Do everything you can to incapacitate the shooter. Your life is on the line, don’t fight fair!
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. They will bypass the wounded and focus directly on neutralizing the shooter(s).
- Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4) but may enter the building by themselves if necessary.
- Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets,
and other tactical equipment. Off-duty officers may be dressed in their normal civilian clothes - 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
How to React When Officers Arrive
- Remain calm, and follow officers’ 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 quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety
- Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
- Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the
direction from which officers are entering the premises
Information to Provide Law Enforcement or 9-1-1 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
After the All-Clear is Given (If You Were Barricaded or Sheltering in Place)
Once the threat has been neutralized and you receive the all-clear message via Rave Guardian or from Law Enforcement:
- Remain calm and follow instructions from law enforcement and Campus Safety
- Drop items in your hands (e.g. bags, jackets)
- Raise your hands and spread your fingers
- Keep your hands visible at all times
- Avoid quick movements towards officers, such as holding on to them for safety
- Avoid pointing, screaming, or yelling
- Do not ask questions when evacuating
- Walk or run to the assembly area as directed by authorities
The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue
teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial
officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any 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 until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.