HOSTILE INTRUDER(S)

  • Protect yourself first. Then get help; call 911.
  • Get away as fast as you can. If the intruder is armed and you are in the line of fire, do not run in a straight line. Try to keep objects such as trees, bushes, and vehicles between you and the intruder.
  • If you cannot get away, hide in a place that you think the intruder will not notice.
  • If you cannot get away or hide and others have been shot, you may save yourself by playing dead
  • If you are caught, you may choose to submit or fight back. If you submit, avert your eyes and obey all commands. Fighting back is very dangerous, but it could be your last option.

    • Special Conditions—Hostile Intruder(s) Inside a Building

  • If you cannot escape safely through an exit, lock yourself and other endangered persons inside a room. Cover any windows or openings with a line of sight into the hallway. If there is a threat from outside, close, latch, and cover the windows with curtains or shades. Block the door with furniture.

  • Do not sound a fire alarm. The alarm could draw people into the open, where they could be injured.
  • Turn off lights and multimedia equipment and remain silent.
  • You may wish to consider escaping through a window.

    • Special Conditions—Hostile Intruder(s) in a Residence Hall

  • When a hostile person(s) is actively causing deadly harm or the imminent threat of deadly harm within the residence hall, we recommend the following procedures be implemented:
  • Lock yourself in your room.
  • If communication is available, dial 911.
  • If away from your room, join others in a room that can be locked.
  • Do not stay in the open hall.
  • Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants in the rooms to evacuate the building and thus place them in potential harm as they attempted to exit.
  • Barricade yourself in your room with desks, beds, or anything you can push against the door.
  • Lock your windows and close the blinds or curtains.
  • Stay away from the windows.
  • Turn off all lights and multimedia equipment.
  • Try to stay calm and be as quiet as possible
  • If you are caught in the open, such as hallways and lounge areas, you must decide what you are going to do. This is a very crucial time and can possibly mean life or death depending on your actions.
  • You can try to hide, but make sure it is a well-hidden space, or you may be found as the intruder moves through the residence hall looking for more victims.
  • If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, do so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Keep any objects you can between you and the hostile person(s) while in the building. Once outside, do not run in a straight line.
  • If the person(s) are causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide, you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.
  • If you are caught in an open area in the residence hall, you may choose to fight back.This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option
  • If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and do not look the intruder in the eyes.
  • Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve your being handcuffed or made to put your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons, and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions to follow.

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