Active Shooter

Shelter in place

If you hear shots fired or if the Murray State Police Department sends an emergency alert about an active shooter, you may be asked to Shelter in Place.

Run, Hide, Fight

If you are faced with an active shooter in your immediate location, you must evaluate the best course of action for your own safety. You must decide whether to Run, Hide, or Fight. The Department of Homeland Security has a personal training video that can be found below.

Watch Run.Hide.Fight Suriving an Active Shooter Event

Run-If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

• Have an escape route plan in mind

• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

• Leave all belongings behind

• Help others escape, if possible, but do not attempt to move wounded people

• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be

• Keep your hands visible

• Follow the instructions of any police officers you encounter

• Once out of the area, call friends and family members who might be concerned to let them know you are safe.

Hide- If you are unable to evacuate, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.

• Find an interior room or closet out of the shooter’s view

• Lock or barricade the door with heavy furniture

• Turn off all lights and items that might make noise (TV or radio) and silence phones.

• Remain calm

• If possible, call 270.809.2222 or 911, or use the LiveSafe app to alert police of the shooter’s location

Fight- As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter.

• Work as a team

• Act as aggressively as possible against shooter

• Throw items at the shooter and use improvised weapons (scissors, chairs, pens, etc.)

• Yell

• Commit to your actions

How to react when law enforcement arrives

• Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions

• Put down any items in your hands

• 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, 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.