Active Shooter on Campus

Active Shooter is Not a New Phenomenon  May 18, 1927 in Bath Township, MI  School board member Andrew Kehoe  Three explosions leaving 45 dead and 58 wounded  Still the deadliest attack on a school in U.S. history.

History of School Shootings  Hostage and Shooting incidents are not new and are on the rise  Since 1996, there have been over 42 incidents of school shootings worldwide Columbine (April, 1999)

Virginia Tech (April, 2007)

Sandy Hook Elementary School (December 2012) Twenty-six people - 20 students and six adults -- were shot and killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut

One or more suspect(s) who, as police respond to the scene, are actively killing and/or causing serious, life-threatening bodily injury to multiple victims. The overriding objective of the suspect(s) appears to be that of mass murder, rather than other criminal conduct such as robbery or hostage taking Active Shooter

Studies of Active Shooter Incidents Indicate: Incidents over quickly (10-15 minutes) Leaves little or no time for proper planning and requires law enforcement to take immediate action Considered the greatest threat on campuses

Movie Shots Fired

3 Outs Hide OUT

If the intruder is in your immediate area or if your area cannot be secured by a Lock Out and you can safely do so, implement a running evacuation: If the intruder is in your immediate area or if your area cannot be secured by a Lock Out and you can safely do so, implement a running evacuation: √ Get Out using exits or even ground floor windows. √ Leave Belongings Behind. √ Evacuate to an area that can be secured (Lock Out) or far enough away from the building to be safe. √ Call Campus Police when you can do so safely.

If the intruder is in your immediate area and you cannot Get Out, secure your room and Hide Out. 1. Secure Immediate Area: 2. Lock and barricade doors 3. Turn off lights 4. Silence all cell phones 5. Keep occupants calm, quiet, and out of sight Hide OUT

Barricading Doors Barricading Doors Use desks, chairs, shelves, piles of books, etc. Barricades are most effective if the door opens towards the barricade. Hide OUT

The Take Out option is to be used as a last resort: The Take Out option is to be used as a last resort:. If the intruder poses serious danger to your safety or the safety of others, and you cannot Lock Out or Get Out, fighting back against the attacker may be your only last option – Take Out.

You MUST commit to your actions. You MUST commit to your actions. Attempt to incapacitate the violent intruder; act with aggression. Attempt to incapacitate the violent intruder; act with aggression. Work together with other people. Work together with other people. Provide clear and confident instructions. Provide clear and confident instructions. Use improvised weapons such as fire extinguishers, chairs, books. Use improvised weapons such as fire extinguishers, chairs, books. Use distractions – throw things to divert attention to enable an escape. Use distractions – throw things to divert attention to enable an escape.

Police Response  Law enforcement's goal is to locate, contain, and stop the shooter  Everyone in the building will be considered a suspect  When the team of officers makes contact with you, do not run towards them  Keep your hands visible and respond to their commands  Officers will only engage with gun fire when, anyone that is armed or moves on them in what can be perceived an aggressive manner

When Police enter the building If you and your classmates are the only ones in the room when officers make entry, the best thing to do is drop to your knees, with your hands visible until the team commands you to get up.

Safety Tips Be aware of your surroundings (e.g. location of exits, doorways, etc…) Be aware of your surroundings (e.g. location of exits, doorways, etc…) Report suspicious persons to WSUPD immediately Report suspicious persons to WSUPD immediately Be aware of the Blue campus emergency phones located around Campus. Be aware of the Blue campus emergency phones located around Campus. Red phones located inside buildings have direct line to WSUPD Red phones located inside buildings have direct line to WSUPD Awareness, Preparation, Rehearsal

Contacting Emergency Personnel DON’T ASSUME SOMEONE HAS ALREADY MADE THE CALL!!!! WSU Police Dispatch WSU Police Dispatch (508) /8044 (508) /8044 What to Report What to Report Your specific location Your specific location Assailant information (Last seen, number of assailants, race, gender, clothing color and style, physical features, type of weapons, backpack) Assailant information (Last seen, number of assailants, race, gender, clothing color and style, physical features, type of weapons, backpack)

Closing Thoughts We can not predict the origin of the next threat We can not predict the origin of the next threat Assailants in some recent incidents across the country were not students or employees. Assailants in some recent incidents across the country were not students or employees. If someone looks suspicious contact WSUPD If someone looks suspicious contact WSUPD

Discussion and Questions

Officer Mike Hoschek WSU Police Department Wasylean Hall first floor (508)