Active Shooter Incident

In the Event of an Active Shooter in Your Vicinity:

Evacuate:

If there is a safe 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.
  • Warn others against entering an area where the active shooter may be.
  • Keep your hands visible.
  • Follow the instructions of police officers.
  • Do not attempt to move wounded people.
  • Call Campus Safety & Security at 410-516-4600 or 911 when you are safe. Be aware that phone lines may be overwhelmed.

Hide Out:

  • If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.
  • Secure the Immediate Area:
  • Lock and/or barricade the door.
  • Close blinds and block interior windows, turn off electronics (e.g., TV, radio, etc.).
  • Dim or face computer monitors away from windows or doors.
  • Silence cell phones (put on vibrate).
  • Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of an injured person.
  • Remain calm and quiet.
  • After securing the room, people should be positioned out of sight and behind items that might offer additional protection (e.g., walls, desk, file cabinets, etc.).
  • Stay low to reduce your profile.
  • If you can safely get out – get out.

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 the active shooter.
  • Yelling.
  • Throwing items and improvising weapons.
  • Committing to your actions to incapacitate or subdue the active shooter.
  • Law Enforcement Response:
  • Law enforcement’s goal is to locate, contain and stop the shooter.
  • Initial responding offices will not treat the injured or begin evacuation until the threat is neutralized or the area is secure.
  • You may be instructed to keep your hands on your head and you may be searched. Follow the officer’s instructions.

What to Report:

  • Provide your specific location, including building name ad room number.
  • The number of people at your specific location.
  • The number of people injured and type of injuries.
  • The physical description of the shooter(s) should be given, e.g., sec, race, age, clothing color and style, physical features (height, weight, facial hair, glasses), types of weapon (e.g., rifle, shotgun, handgun, backpack).