Anyone who opens fire with an intent to injure or kill as many people as possible is considered an active shooter. These situations generally occur in confined areas or heavily populated areas where there are many people. Active shooters, for the most part, choose their victims at random and you will find that the shooter’s behavior is erratic and unpredictable. Unfortunately, a tragic event can unfold in just minutes.
It is important to know what to do in an active shooter situation to protect yourself and save other lives around you. Below, you will find three main scenarios on what to do if there is ever an active shooter incident on one of the UEI College campuses.
3 Options for an Active Shooter Situation at Uei College:
1. RUN
- Have an evacuation route planned ahead of time and know it
- Do not grab anything, leave your items behind
- Do what you can to help others around you who are trying to escape too
- Avoid touching or moving anyone who is wounded
- Always keep your hands visible and place them in the air
- Put your hands up in the air or make sure they are visible
- Attempt to stop people from going into an area where there is an active shooter
- When you are safe, call 911
2. HIDE
- If you cannot escape the location, get out of the shooter’s view and hide
- Block entry to where you are or lock the door to the place you are hiding
- Stay quiet and make sure your phone is on silent
3. FIGHT
- Fighting back is always a last resort and should only be used when your life is in imminent danger
- Do what you can to incapacitate the shooter
- Throw anything you can at the shooter such as chairs, etc.
- Do not hold back and be physically aggressive with the shooter
- Commit to your decision to fight the shooter (your life depends on it)
Police Arrival: What to Do Now
This is an intense situation and you must keep that in mind. Everything is happening quickly and sporadically. Therefore, when law enforcement does arrive on the scene, make sure you:
- Stay calm and focused
- Follow any and all directions provided to you
- Keep your hands in the air and do not hold anything in your hands
- Avoid any quick, odd, or erratic movements
- Do not panic, yell, or scream as this causes more confusion and panic
- Avoid bombarding law enforcement with questions or clinging to them
It is vital that you remember that the first law enforcement responders who arrive on the scene have one focus and that is to STOP THE SHOOTER. Emergency teams will arrive on the scene shortly to help the injured parties from the incident. Usually, law enforcement will help usher innocent people out of the location and may detain them for questioning. DO NOT leave the scene unless you have been permitted to do so.
Remember, See Something? Say Something!
Always being aware of your surroundings and staying vigilant can help prevent an active shooter incident on a UEI College campus. Some of the things you should pay attention to include:
- Windows or doors that are normally closed are left open or propped open
- Windows or doors that are normally open are now barred or chained closed
- Reading social media posts that indicate a threat or possible violence on a UEI campus
- Random packages, backpacks, or duffel bags left unattended or in common areas with lots of foot traffic
- A person who appears to be nervous, muttering to themselves, anxious, or someone who has a vacant stare and cannot communicate properly
- Overhearing someone make a threat or non-students loitering around
- A person adjusting their waistband or someone with large bulges near the belt line
- A person carrying an oversized duffel back or wearing a coat on a warm day
- Noticing weapons in a person’s possession or in a bag
If you notice any of the above listed behaviors, it is important that you immediately contact the Executive Director who is the Campus Security Authority. If the situation appears to be life-threatening, always call 911 and tell them:
- The location of the suspicious person or object
- What you saw
- When you observed the behavior
- What your cause of concern is
