Shots Fired (Recommendations for Active Shooters)
Active harming incidents have occurred at a number of locations in recent years, and the University of Colorado is not immune to this potential. While the odds of this occurring at CU are small, the consequences are so potentially catastrophic it makes sense for all students, staff, faculty and visitors to CU to consider the possibility of such an incident occurring here.
There are no universal answers that guarantee safety in such an event. There are guidelines that can be followed to maximize success. The University of Colorado Police Department recommends you consider the following key points.
Be Aware and Be Prepared
- This type of event can happen here. Universities are inherently open environments, and are difficult to secure.
- Be knowledgeable of resources available for persons who appear to need psychological or emotional help.
- Is there someone you know who may be showing signs of becoming an “injustice collector.” Recommend counseling services or consider calling the police for guidance.
- Counseling Assistance for CU students is available at Counseling and Psychological Services. For more information, visit http://www.colorado.edu/sacs/counseling/
- Active shooters have been suicidal. They believe they are going to die, and have nothing to lose by killing.
- Active shooting incidents create chaos. Expect a confusing environment. React with a simple plan that maximizes potential for safety.
- There may be more than one “right” answer in your response.
- Your initial response may need to be changed to another alternative.
- Have the mindset that this will happen here at some point.
- Know you will act and will survive.
Awareness and Action - The keys to survival.
- If an active shooting incident occurs near you, try to:
- Get out. Get away from where the shooting is occurring. Go to a place of calculated safety away from the shooting location. Call 9-1-1 and provide the location of the shooting and a description of the shooters, if possible.
- Hide out: If you cannot get away from where the shooting is occurring, find a room in which you can hide. If you have to hide out, Lock door.
- Turn off lights.
- Spread out in the room.
- Silence phones, etc.
- Inventory potential weapons.
- Take out: You and classmates or friends may find yourself in a situation where the shooter will accost you. If such an event occurs, quickly develop a plan to attack the shooter. Use items as your disposal for improvised weapons, throw items to distract the shooter, and consider a plan to tackle the shooter, take away his weapon, and hold him until police arrive.
