SURVIVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER

Charleston School of Law Security, Department of Student Affairs and Department of Human Resources

Director of Security: Donielle M. Haynes

SURVIVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER

Active shootings, in the United States,are unfortunately becoming a realizationin places we would never expect to seegun violence. As Charleston School of Lawfaculty, staff and students we want to stay mindful of these events and have effectiveways to protect ourselves from an activeshooter on campus.

Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate the risk of an active shooting on campus and there is no distinct plan of action. However, there are steps that you can take to help you survive an active shooting event and help protect your life and the lives of others.

ACTIVE SHOOTER DEFINED:

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

ACTIVE SHOOTER STATISTICS

• 98% of Active Shootings are conducted by one gunman.• 90% of Active Shootings are never planned.• 85% of Active Shooters take their own life after incident.• 96% of Active Shooters are male.• 64% of Active Shooters had a relationship with at least one of the victims.

*The average time of an Active Shooting Incident is approximately 5-15 minutes*

ACTIVE SHOOTERS GOAL:

The goal or intent of most active shooters is to kill as many people as quickly as possible. Because of

this, the events in an active shootingcan be spontaneous and can evolve

very quickly.

WHAT DOES AN ACTIVE SHOOTER LOOK LIKE??

There is no exact look or profile of an active shooter. They can look like or be anyone.

THEY CAN BE A STRANGER OR PEOPLE YOU KNOW…

Because of this, you should always stay aware of your surroundings and the people who are in it. In addition, while in buildings, always have a means of

escape in the event of an emergency and/or active shooting situation.

ACTIVE SHOOTER PLAN

CHARLESTON SCHOOL OF LAW ACTIVE SHOOTER POLICY:

In order to preserve life and address the reality of an active shooter event, these guidelines have been established to guide our response to this event to maximize survivability. Most importantly, quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTING ON CAMPUS THERE ARE THREE COURSES OF

ACTION TO PROTECT AND SAVE YOUR LIFE:

RUN!!Evacuate - 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 police officers• Do not attempt to move wounded people• Call 911 when you are safe

HIDEHide out - If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find or see you.

Your hiding place should:• Be out of the active shooter’s view• Provide protection if shots are fired

in your direction (i.e., locating into a resident bathroom and locking the door is recommended, stay as low to floor as possible and remain quiet and still).

• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement

HIDETo prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:• Lock the door• Blockade the door with heavy furnitureIf the active shooter is nearby:• Lock the door• Silence your cell phone and/or pager• Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)• Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)• Remain quietIf evacuation and hiding out are not possible:• Remain calm• Dial 911, if possible, alert police to the active shooter’s location• If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen

FIGHT!!Take action against the active 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.

POLICE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

INFORMATION TO PROVIDE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR 911 OPERATOR:

If you are able to call the police, try to give the operator the following information:

• •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

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 usually arrive in teams of four (4)• •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

HOW TO REACT WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES:When you see police enter your area:

• •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

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.

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTING, AT THE CHARLESTON SCHOOL OF LAW, REMEMBER TO STAY CALM, ACT QUICKLY AND DETERMINE

THE MOST REASONABLE WAY TO PROTECT YOUR OWN LIFE.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ACTIVE SHOOTER

PREPAREDNESS PLEASE VISIT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND

SECURITY WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.DHS.GOV/