{"id":38,"date":"2026-03-20T13:02:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T17:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/university-police\/?page_id=38"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:07:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T17:07:22","slug":"run-hide-fight-responding-to-an-active-shooter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/university-police\/our-services\/run-hide-fight-responding-to-an-active-shooter\/","title":{"rendered":"Run, Hide, Fight: Responding to an Active Shooter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:45rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-to-do-during-an-active-shooter-emergency-outlining-the-run-hide-fight-steps\">What to do during an active shooter emergency, outlining the \u201cRun, Hide, Fight\u201d steps.<\/h2>\n\n\n<div><div class=\"modal\">\n    <lite-youtube videoid=\"TeOdxKozra0\" playlabel=\"active shooter training video\" js-api>\n        <button class=\"close\"><span>\u00d7<\/span> Close<\/button>\n    <\/lite-youtube>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-an-active-shooter\">What is an Active Shooter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An active shooter is someone actively attempting to seriously harm or kill people in a crowded or enclosed space. These incidents usually involve firearms, with no clear pattern in how victims are chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such situations are fast-moving and unpredictable, often requiring immediate police intervention to stop the threat. However, because these events usually end within 10\u201315 minutes\u2014often before law enforcement arrives\u2014individuals must be ready to respond on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you hear gunshots on campus or see an armed person threatening or attacking others, act quickly. Assess the situation and determine which response\u2014Run, Hide, or Fight\u2014offers you the best chance of survival.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><nav class=\"is-vertical wp-block-navigation is-content-justification-stretch is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-2c14e10a wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Our Services submenu\"><ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container  is-vertical wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/university-police\/our-services\/safety-tips\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Safety tips<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/university-police\/our-services\/safety-workshops\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Safety workshops<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/university-police\/our-services\/run-hide-fight-responding-to-an-active-shooter\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Responding to an active shooter<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-light-yellow-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-after-the-incident\">After the incident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wait for law enforcement to escort you from the building if you are inside.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When officers arrive, show your empty hands with open palms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-light-yellow-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-additional-reminders\">Additional reminders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gunshots may sound like firecrackers or other noises\u2014treat any suspicious popping as gunfire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If in a group, spread out to avoid making yourself an easy target.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remember: attackers may use weapons other than firearms (e.g., knives, blunt objects, explosives). These same safety strategies apply in all violent situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think ahead about possible escape routes, including accessible paths for people with disabilities or limited mobility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-gray-100-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-52009084 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns equal-height is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-top-color:var(--wp--preset--color--deep-red);border-top-width:3px\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-white-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-run-escape-if-you-can\">RUN: escape if you can<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If there is distance between you and the shooter, evacuate immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the shooter is inside your building and it\u2019s safe, exit quickly and move far enough away to be secure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leave belongings behind.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep your hands visible for police.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage others to flee, but don\u2019t delay if they refuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Call 911 as soon as it\u2019s safe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide as much detail as possible (number of shooters, descriptions, weapons, and<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-top-color:var(--wp--preset--color--deep-red);border-top-width:3px\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-white-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hide-stay-out-of-sight\">HIDE: stay out of sight<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If evacuation isn\u2019t possible, hide somewhere out of the shooter\u2019s view.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose a location with thick walls and minimal windows if you can.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lock and barricade doors with furniture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turn off lights, silence phones, and keep electronics quiet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Close blinds or curtains to avoid being seen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If outside and unable to run, use solid cover like brick walls, large trees, or buildings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stay hidden until authorities signal that it\u2019s safe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-top-color:var(--wp--preset--color--deep-red);border-top-width:3px\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-white-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fight-defend-yourself-as-a-last-resort\">FIGHT: defend yourself as a last resort<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Only fight if your life is in immediate danger and you cannot run or hide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attempt to disarm or disable the attacker through aggressive action.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use nearby objects\u2014fire extinguishers, chairs, or anything you can throw\u2014as weapons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commit fully to stopping the shooter\u2019s actions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Call 911 once it\u2019s safe to do so.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What to do during an active shooter emergency, outlining the \u201cRun, Hide, Fight\u201d steps. What is an Active Shooter? An active shooter is someone actively attempting to seriously harm or kill people in a crowded or enclosed space. These incidents usually involve firearms, with no clear pattern in how victims are chosen. Such situations are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":29,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-38","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Run, Hide, Fight: Responding to an Active Shooter | University Police | Clark University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/university-police\/our-services\/run-hide-fight-responding-to-an-active-shooter\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Run, Hide, Fight: Responding to an Active Shooter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What to do during an active shooter emergency, outlining the \u201cRun, Hide, Fight\u201d steps. 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