Active Shooter Response PlanLewis Stroud M.Ed.Senior Associate Dean of Students

RECENT CAMPUS SHOOTING INCIDENTS

Aug. 1, 1966: Charles Whitman points a rifle from the observation deck of the University of Texas at Austin's Tower and begins shooting in a homicidal rampage that goes on for 96 minutes. Sixteen people are killed, 31 wounded MAY 4, 1970: FOUR STUDENTS ARE KILLED AND NINE WOUNDED BY NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS CALLED IN TO QUELL ANTI-WAR PROTESTS ON THE CAMPUS OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY.Aug. 15, 1996: Frederick Martin Davidson, 36, a graduate engineering student at San Diego State, is defending his thesis before a faculty committee when he pulls out a handgun and kills three professors.Jan. 16, 2002: Graduate student Peter Odighizuwa, 42, recently dismissed from Virginia's Appalachian School of Law, returns to campus and kills the dean, a professor and a student before being tackled by students. The attack also wounds three female students. Odighizuwa is serving six life sentences after pleading guilty.

RECENT CAMPUS SHOOTING INCIDENTS

Sept. 2, 2006: Douglas W. Pennington, 49, kills himself and his two sons, Logan P. Pennington, 26, and Benjamin M. Pennington, 24, during a visit to the campus of Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va. April 16, 2007: A gunman identified as 23-year-old student Cho Seung-Hui fatally shoots 32 people in a dorm and a classroom at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., then kills himself.

TRAINING PURPOSES

Define the term “active shooter”Explain actions that faculty staff and public safety officers employ that will reduce the ability of an active shooter to carry out their plansDescribe the measures that local law enforcement and campus safety will employ to diffuse the situation

“ACTIVE SHOOTER” DEFINED

An individual that is causing the immediate death or serious injury to multiple victimsThe situation is not contained and there is substantial risk and ongoing danger to other individuals in the campus community

ACTIVE SHOOTER

Considered the greatest terrorist threat on college campusesIndividuals need to be informed of law enforcements response plan so you can take protective measuresThis will help insure your safety and the safety of those around you

ACTIVE SHOOTER “MINDSET”

Desire is to kill and seriously injure Has no concern for own safety or threat of captureMost time has intended victims and will search for themWill engage targets of opportunity while searching for and after finding intended victim(s) Will continue moving throughout campus until stopped either by law enforcement suicide or some other intervention

ACTIVE SHOOTER “MINDSET”

The intent of the active shooter is to kill and injureThis has required a change in tactics by local law enforcement agenciesTo assist in limiting the losses in this type of situation the college community must be involved Training and discussions on how to respond in this situation are a necessityEveryone must know how to respond during an actual event

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

Stay calmAssure others that you and the police are working to protect themYour actions will influence others

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

Secure the immediate area around you the classroom, bathroom or office

Lock the door, most campus doors are solid core and the walls are brick and block this may provide additional protectionBlock the door using whatever is available; desks file cabinets books or other furnitureIf the shooter enters your room and leaves lock or barricade the door behind themIf able to do so safely, allow others to seek refuge with you

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

Treat the injuredRemember basic first aidApply pressure to bleeding wounds and elevate themUse items in the room be creative some help is usually better than none

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

Doors Windows Openings and NoiseClose blindsBlock windowsTurn off radios and computers if necessarySilence cell phonesPlace signs in the exterior windows to identify location of injured peopleKeep occupants calm and quietAfter securing room position people out of sight and behind items that may offer additional protection

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

Contacting Emergency Personnel911Remember circuits may be overwhelmedCampus Public SafetyLaurinburg Police

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

What to ReportYour specific location

Building nameoffice/classroom number

Number of people at your specific locationInjuries

Number of injuredTypes of injuries911 may provide instructions on ways to care for the injured until medical assistance arrives

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

Information on assailantSpecific locationNumber of assailantsRace and genderClothing color and stylePhysical features (height weight facial hair glasses)Types of weapons (handguns rifle shotgun)BackpackDo you recognize assailant? who are they?Have you heard explosions separate from the gunshots?

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

Un-securing an areaThe assailant will not stop until their objectives are met, unless they are engaged by law enforcementConsider your risk of exposure when opening a doorAttempts to rescue people should be made if it can be done without endangering the rescuerThe assailant may bang on the door or scream for help in order to tempt you into opening the door bewareIf there is any doubt the safety of the individuals in the room is of most importance Keep the area secure if there are any doubts

FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSE

Unsecured AreasIf you are in an open area immediately seek protectionPut something between you and the assailantIs escape your best option or is escape immediately available?Do you know where the assailant is?If in doubt find a safe area and secure it the best way you can

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE

Law enforcement will respond immediately to the areaIt is important for you to convey to others that help is on the wayRemain in secured areaLaw enforcements goal is to locate contain and stop the assailantThe safest place for you is inside a secure roomThe assailant will not flee when law enforcement enters the building, the assailant will now have new targetsRemember the mindset is not to escape but to injure and kill

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE

Injured PeopleFirst response officers will not treat the injured or begin evacuation until the immediate threat is neutralizedYou may need to explain this in order to keep others calmOnce the assailant is contained then officers will begin treatment and evacuation

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE

EvacuationSafety corridors will be established Stay calm this may take some timeRemain in secure areas until otherwise instructedYou may be instructed to put your hands on your head, follow officers orders and directionsYou may be searchedYou will be escorted from the building by law enforcement personnel

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVESpill-over crime suspect flees onto campus from incident off campusWorkplace violence

Disgruntled employeeMiddle aged Caucasian manPoor social skillsRecent personnel actionGun collector/hunter

Earlier School Shootings StudentMisfitDifficulty copingBullied or teasedvendetta

OVERVIEW

Active shooterYou should take a leadership roleSeek secure areaCalm reassure and quiet othersReport incidentProvide first aid

OVERVIEW

Law enforcement responseObjective is to neutralize threatEvacuationFollow up medical care interview and counselingInvestigation

FINISHING STATEMENTS

The origin of the next threat can no longer be predictedAssailants in some recent incidents were not students or employeesThere were no obvious specific targets and the victims were unaware they were targets until attacked