Active Shooter Response

What You Should Do in an Active Shooter Situation

Active shooter events evolve quickly, and the suspect(s) are killing or attempting to kill people in populated areas.
Although the chances of finding yourself in an active shooter situation are slim, it’s important to think about it and be prepared.

The three options you have if you are involved in an active shooter situation are as follows:

What Do I Do in an Active Shooter Situation?

1. Run

If a safe path is available, run.
Always try to escape or evacuate, even if others insist on staying. Encourage others to leave with you, but don’t let their indecision slow you down.

Once you are out of the line of fire:

• Try to prevent others from entering the danger zone.

• Call 9-1-1 as soon as you are safe.

2. Hide

If you can’t get out safely, find a place to hide.
When hiding:

• Turn out the lights.

• Lock doors.

• Silence your cell phone (ringer and vibration mode).

3. Fight

As a last resort, whether working together or alone, act with aggression.
Use improvised weapons to disarm or incapacitate the shooter, and commit fully to taking the shooter down.

Information to Give the 9-1-1 Dispatcher

When calling 911:

• Calls from cell phones will go to the Putnam County Emergency Operations Center — be sure to say you are on the campus of DePauw University.

• Calls from campus phones go directly to the DePauw Police dispatch office.

Provide:

• The specific location of the incident.

  • (Example: “There is an active shooter on the campus of DePauw University, first floor of the Green Center for Performing Arts.”)

• A detailed description of the shooter(s), including clothing and weapons.

What to Expect When Police Arrive

• Remain calm and show your hands to arriving officers.

• Follow officers’ instructions and keep moving; do not slow them down.

• Advise officers of the suspect’s location if known.

• If you have specific information and have made it out safely, call the police again — do not assume someone else has already called.