Active Assailant

Active Assailant Incident
Definition & Courses of Action

An “active assailant” is an individual who is engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active assailants use firearm(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Victims are selected at random. Event is unpredictable and evolves quickly. Knowing what to do can save lives.

RUN

• Have an escape route in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
• Help others escape, if possible
• Do not attempt to move the wounded
• Prevent others from entering an area where the active assailant may be present
• Keep your hands visible
• Call 911 when you are safe

HIDE

• Hide in an area out of the assailant’s view
• Lock door and/or block entry into your hiding place
• Silence your cell phone and remain quiet

FIGHT

• Fight as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger
• Attempt to incapacitate the assailant
• Act with as much physical aggression as possible
• Improvise weapons or throw items at the active assailant
• Commit to your actions…your life depends on it

Information to provide 911:

• Location of the active assailant
• Identity of assailant if known
• Number of assailants
• Physical description of assailant
• Number and type of weapons assailant has
• Number of potential victims

What to expect from law enforcement:

• Law enforcement’s goal is to locate, contain and stop the assailant.
• Everyone in the building will be considered a suspect.
• Do not run toward law enforcement officers.
• Keep your HANDS VISIBLE and respond to officers’ commands.
• If you are near the suspect(s) when officers enter, DROP as low as you can and STAY THERE with HANDS VISIBLE until officers give you a command.
• Officers will treat and evacuate victim(s) AFTER the suspect is contained.

When law enforcement arrives:

• Try to remain calm and follow instructions
• Drop any items in your hands
• Raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid quick movements toward officers, including holding onto them for safety
• Avoid screaming and yelling