Hostile Intruder


Hostile intruder(s) on campus

When a hostile person(s) threatens or causes death and serious injury on campus grounds, we recommend these procedures:

  • Run away from the threat if you can.
    • Do not run in a straight line.
    • Use cars, trees and bushes to block your view from the hostile person.
    • If you can get away from the immediate area of danger, get help and warn others, but do not use a fire alarm.  It may cause others to go out into danger.
  • If you cannot get away, Hide in a room.
    • Lock the door, turn off the lights, silence your cell phone, stay out of sight.
    • Consider barricading the door with desks, chairs, cabinets, anything to make it hard to enter.
    • Call 9-1-1 if you can do so safely.
  • The last option is to Fight back.
    • Use anything at your disposal...backpacks, computers, books, etc. to disrupt the intruder to give you time to get away or to subdue them.
    • If you are with a group, swarm the intruder all at once.
  • Once the police arrive, obey all commands.
    • This may involve being handcuffed or putting your hands in the air. This is for safety reasons. 
    • Once police evaluate circumstances, they will give you further directions.

Hostile intruder(s) in a residence hall

When a hostile person(s) threatens or causes death and serious injury in residence halls, we recommend these procedures:

In your room:

  • Lock yourself in your room.
  • Barricade yourself in your room with desks, beds or anything you can push against the door.
  • Close the blinds or curtains and stay away from the window.
  • Call 9-1-1 if you can do so safely.
  • Turn all lights and audio equipment off.
  • Try to stay calm and be as quiet as possible.

Away from your room:If you are caught in the open such as hallways or lounge areas, you must decide what you are going to do. We recommend these procedures:

  • If away from your room, join others in a room that can lock or be barricaded.
  • Do not stay in the open hallway.
  • Do not sound the fire alarm.  This would signal people in the rooms to evacuate the building and place them in potential harm as they attempt to exit.

Shots fired on campus training video