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Active Shooter Response Guide

The Southern University at New Orleans Police Department is committed to providing training to community members on how to respond if confronted with an active shooter scenario. While reports of violent crime at SUNO are infrequent, no environment is immune from the threat of an active shooter. Since  most active shooter incidents are over within minutes, students, faculty, and staff must be prepared to react quickly to keep themselves safe until first responders arrive.

These situations are unpredictable. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and choose their victims at random with the objective of killing as many people as possible. However, there are a few steps that one can take immediately. As these situations evolve quickly, quick decisions could mean the difference between life and death. In order to stop a shooter and minimize harm to a community, an immediate response by members of that community and deployment of law enforcement resources is critical. If you are in harm’s way, you will need to decide rapidly on the safest course of action based on the scenario that is unfolding before you.

In an active shooter situation, cevery second counts. So, remember these three key steps: RUNHIDE, and FIGHT.

RUN

Find an escape route and try to leave the area if you see an accessible path.

  • Practice escape routes with friends or coworkers.
  • Identify different pathways.
  • Leave everything behind except your mobile phone.
  • Do not linger or try to convince others to follow you.
  • Only assist others if you can do so safely.
  • Do not try to move wounded people.
  • Prevent others from entering an area where the shooter may be.
  • Keep your hands visible.
  • Call 911 when you are away from the danger area.
  • Follow any police officer's instructions.away from the threat as quickly as possible.

HIDE

Hide where the shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:

  • Be out of the shooter’s view
  • Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (like a room with a closed and locked door)
  • Not trap you or restrict your ability to move To prevent a shooter from entering your hiding place:
  • Lock doors; turn off lights; close blinds/curtains
  • Block the door with heavy furniture
  • Silence any source of noise (phones, radios, televisions, etc.) and remain quiet
  • Hide behind large items (cabinets, desks, etc.)

FIGHT

If evacuation and hiding are not possible:

  • With your phone ringer in Silent Mode, dial 911 to alert police to the active shooter’s location.
  • If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter by:

  • Acting as aggressively as possible against the shooter
  • Throwing items and improvising weapons
  • Yelling
  • Committing to your actions.

What to Expect from Responding Police Officers

When officers arrive, be prepared to calmly, quickly, and accurately tell them what they need to know:

  1. location of the shooter
  2. number of the shooters, if there’s more than one
  3. description of the shooter
  4. number and kinds of weapons they have.

Follow the officers’ instructions. Officers will take command of the situation by shouting orders and/or physically directing individuals to a safe place or the ground.

The first responding officers’ main objective is to stop the active shooter and create a safe environment for medical help for the injured. Officers who arrive later will help identify victims that need medical care and conduct interviews.

To prevent panic and better prepare yourself in the event of an active shooter incident within your immediate vicinity/building, watch the video below and remember these three words: RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. The SUNO Police Department would like to thank the Department of Homeland Security for producing the video and allowing us to make it accessible to the SUNO Community. The resources below provide information on response considerations should someone encounter this type of situation on or off campus.

ACTIVE SHOOTER PREPAREDNESS VIDEO

This is an educational video containing/depicting implied violence. Viewer discretion is advised. RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. Surviving an Active Shooter Event Video

Notice Concerning Behavior?

It is the university’s goal to prevent any unsafe situations before they happen, so we encourage you to report all suspicious behavior and concerns as soon as you notice them. If you experience any immediate threats to your safety or the safety of others, call 911. If you notice concerning behaviors in a friend, coworker, or classmate, call the SUNO Police Department at 504-286-3355. 

Active Shooter presentations

The Active Shooter presentations are also available upon request. To schedule an Active Shooter presentation please conact the SUNO Police Department Community Engagement Unit at 504-286-5290.


SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS
TBD