1. SURVIVING AN ACTIVE
SHOOTER
Charleston School of Law Security, Department of Student Affairs and
Department of Human Resources
Director of Security: Donielle M. Haynes
2. SURVIVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER
Active shootings, in the United States,
are unfortunately becoming a realization
in places we would never expect to see
gun violence. As Charleston School of Law
faculty, staff and students we want to stay
mindful of these events and have effective
ways to protect ourselves from an active
shooter on campus.
3. Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate the risk of an active
shooting on campus and there is no distinct plan of action.
However, there are steps that you can take to help you survive an
active shooting event and help protect your life and the lives of
others.
4. ACTIVE SHOOTER DEFINED:
Active Shooter - An active shooter is defined as "... an individual actively engaged in killing or
attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use
firearm(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.
5. ACTIVE SHOOTER STATISTICS
• 98% of Active Shootings are conducted by one gunman.
• 90% of Active Shootings are never planned.
• 85% of Active Shooters take their own life after incident.
• 96% of Active Shooters are male.
• 64% of Active Shooters had a relationship with at least one of the victims.
*The average time of an Active Shooting Incident is approximately 5-15 minutes*
6. ACTIVE SHOOTERS GOAL:
The goal or intent of most active
shooters is to kill as many people
as quickly as possible. Because of
this, the events in an active shooting
can be spontaneous and can evolve
very quickly.
7. WHAT DOES AN ACTIVE SHOOTER LOOK
LIKE??
There is no exact look or profile of an active shooter. They can look like or be anyone.
9. Because of this, you should always stay aware of your surroundings and
the people who are in it. In addition, while in buildings, always have a
means of escape in the event of an emergency and/or active shooting
situation.
11. CHARLESTON SCHOOL OF LAW ACTIVE
SHOOTER POLICY:
In order to preserve life and address the reality of an active shooter event, these
guidelines have been established to guide our response to this event to maximize
survivability. Most importantly, quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect
your own life.
12. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTING ON
CAMPUS THERE ARE THREE COURSES OF
ACTION TO PROTECT AND SAVE YOUR LIFE:
13. RUN!!
Evacuate - If there is an 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
• Help others escape, if possible
• Prevent individuals from entering an area where
the active shooter may be
• Keep your hands visible
• Follow the instructions of any police officers
• Do not attempt to move wounded people
• Call 911 when you are safe
14. HIDE
Hide out - If evacuation is not possible, find
a place to hide where the active shooter is
less likely to find or see you.
Your hiding place should:
• Be out of the active shooter’s view
• Provide protection if shots are fired in
your direction (i.e., locating into a
resident bathroom and locking the door is
recommended, stay as low to floor as
possible and remain quiet and still).
• Not trap you or restrict your options for
movement
15. HIDE
To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:
• Lock the door
• Blockade the door with heavy furniture
If the active shooter is nearby:
• Lock the door
• Silence your cell phone and/or pager
• Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
• Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
• Remain quiet
If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:
• Remain calm
• Dial 911, if possible, alert police to the active shooter’s location
• If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen
16. FIGHT!!
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 him/her
• Throwing items and improvising
weapons
• Yelling
• Committing to your actions.
18. INFORMATION TO PROVIDE TO LAW
ENFORCEMENT OR 911 OPERATOR:
If you are able to call the police, try to
give the operator the following
information:
• •Location of the active shooter
• •Number of shooters, if more than one
• •Physical description of shooter/s
• •Number and type of weapons held by
the shooter/s
• •Number of potential victims at the
location
19. HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT
ARRIVES
Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active
shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed
directly to the area in which the last shots were
heard.
• •Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4)
• •Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or
external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and
other tactical equipment
• •Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns,
handguns
• •Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to
control the situation
• •Officers may shout commands, and may push
individuals to the ground for their safety
20. HOW TO REACT WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT
ARRIVES:
When you see police enter your area:
• •Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions
• •Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags,
jackets)
• •Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
• •Keep hands visible at all times
• •Avoid making quick movements toward
officers such as holding on to them for safety
• •Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
• •Do not stop to ask officers for help or
direction when evacuating, just proceed in the
direction from which officers are entering the
premises
21. Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be
held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all
witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave until law
enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.
22. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTING, AT
THE CHARLESTON SCHOOL OF LAW,
REMEMBER TO STAY CALM, ACT QUICKLY AND
DETERMINE THE MOST REASONABLE WAY TO
PROTECT YOUR OWN LIFE.
23. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON
ACTIVE SHOOTER PREPAREDNESS
PLEASE VISIT THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY WEBSITE:
HTTP://WWW.DHS.GOV/
