How to Respond to an Active Shooter at Work or School

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A breakdown of the ‘Run, Hide, Fight’ survival strategy for shootings
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Unfortunately, a shooting can happen at any school or workplace. Even though the odds of a shooting happening at your school or workplace are still relatively low, it pays to be prepared and know in advance what creates the best chance for survival. College campuses and law enforcement organizations have developed an active shooter protocol known as “ Run , Hide , Fight ,” which we have broken down below—with the help of firearms self-defense trainer Scott Thompson—to help you feel prepared for any situation. In a nutshell, running should always be your first priority, but be ready to hide or fight for your life if there is no safe escape route.

How do you survive an active shooter?

  • If possible, run as fast as possible to the nearest escape route. Leave your belongings behind and get to safety as quickly as possible.
  • If it’s not safe for you to flee without being seen by the shooter, find a place to hide —in a room, behind a heavy object, or another place out of the shooter’s view.
  • If hiding in a room, lock and barricade the door with heavy items. Turn off the lights, call 911, and silence your cell phone. Sit away from any doors or windows and stay quiet.
  • If you cannot escape or hide and you believe you’re about to be shot, fight back against the shooter. Throw items or use improvised weapons like fire extinguishers and scissors.
Section 1 of 6:

Surviving a Shooting: Run Response

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  1. Your best chance to survive the shooting is to get out of the area as fast as possible. However, if your only escape route would put you in sight of the shooter, it might be better to hide or fight . Otherwise, do everything you can to put distance between yourself and the shooter as quickly as possible. [1]
    • “The best thing you can do is flee and leave the area,” affirms Thompson. “Fleeing is generally your safest course of action, and this may involve breaking windows or jumping out of second-floor windows.”
    • In these cases, you may have a broken leg or arm, continues Thompson, but you’re more likely to get away with your life.
  2. Even if your natural fear instinct is to freeze up, force yourself to act immediately. Find an escape route and start running toward it, as long as this escape route doesn’t put you in the line of fire or in the shooter’s view. While you want to be smart about your escape, don’t waste time debating with yourself which is the best escape route—find one and start running. It’s often a natural instinct to hit the floor, lie flat, and cover your head, but moving is much more likely to improve your chance of survival. [2]
    • If you hear gunshots in the distance but can’t see the shooter, you can likely get out of the area before the shooter arrives. Just make sure to run away from the sound of gunshots. 98% of shooters act alone. If you can avoid the area where you hear gunfire, you are usually safe. [3]
    • If you have shoes that prevent you from running, take them off.
    • It’s not advised to pull the fire alarm, even as an attempt to evacuate others. The evacuation procedures for a fire and an active shooter are completely different, and pulling the fire alarm can increase the risk of casualties as a result.
    • Don’t waste time debating whether or not you heard gunshots. If you think you did, it’s better to run and be safe than sorry.
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  3. If you’ve determined that your safest response strategy is to run, then leave behind your wallet, your purse, your cell phone, your computer, and any other personal items. Though your first instinct may be to take your possessions with you, none of them are as important as your life. [4]
  4. Run straight to safety as quickly as you can—don’t slow yourself down with evasive maneuvers like running a zig-zag or bending over as you run. These tactics only matter if the shooter is aiming directly at you and using a weapon with a low rate of fire. In most cases, getting away quickly is the better option. [5]
    • The one exception to this step is if you’re forced to run within sight of the shooter in an area with plenty of cover between you and the exit. In this case, running from obstacle to obstacle may be your best chance. We’ll go over this strategy in more depth in the “Hide” section .
  5. If someone looks disoriented or too scared to move, grab that person and drag them along with you. Tell these people that running is crucial to their survival. Plus, if you’re running in a bigger group, it’ll be harder to target you individually, and you’ll have strength in numbers if you do come up against the shooter. [6]
    • However, if others refuse to go with you, you need to keep running without them in order to save your own life.
    • If you are with or encounter someone who is injured, they may not be able to move easily with you. If they have a superficial injury or are able to run easily with their injury, encourage them to come with you. If they are too injured to flee safely, however, tell them to hide instead and play dead until police arrive—in some cases, moving may exacerbate the person’s injuries.
  6. If you happen to see a sharp or blunt object you can carry while running, grab it. However, do not waste time looking for a weapon when you could be running to safety. Locating a weapon should only be a priority in a last-case scenario where you’re unable to escape the shooters (see our section on the “Fight” response ).
    • A fire extinguisher could work as a weapon, says Thompson. “You can spray the chemicals on the [shooter], ruining their ability to see and breathe, and then you can hit them with the extinguisher if necessary.”
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Section 2 of 6:

Surviving a Shooting: Hide Response

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  1. It should only take you a few seconds to determine whether or not running is possible. If the shooter is rapidly approaching your room or if they’re blocking your only escape route, then you should start hiding or barricading yourself in a room immediately. [7]
    • Hiding is a secondary option to running because it traps you in one area and is only effective temporarily, according to Thompson. So, if the shooter is able to find you in that area, you’re in more danger than you would be if you’d been able to flee the danger area entirely.
    • However, most mass shooting events are over within ten or fifteen minutes. If you can avoid the shooter for that long, you have a better chance of survival. [8]
  2. The term “cover” refers to barriers that will stop a bullet, e.g., brick or concrete walls, steel building support beams, or thick trees. If you’re in an open area, try to find a room to hide in—if you can’t find one, find cover instead. If you’re trapped in a single room, your best option for cover is to hide behind a thick piece of furniture such as a heavy desk or filing cabinet. [9]
    • Ideally, find a spot that does not restrict your movement. If the situation changes, you want to be able to run to an exit as quickly as possible.
    • If you’re hiding behind a wall, try to stay at least 1 foot (0.30 m) away from it. When bullets ricochet off of walls, they usually travel about 6 inches (150 mm) down the wall. So, if you’re right next to the wall, you’re more likely to be hit.
  3. Concealment hides you from the shooter’s line of sight, but it will not protect you from gunfire. If it’s your only safe option, hide behind furniture, in closets, or in any other hiding spot that you can find. Once behind your piece of concealment, crouch low to the ground to minimize the chance that a stray bullet hits you. [10]
    • For instance, most interior walls and thin wooden objects will not stop a bullet. However, if they get you out of a shooter’s line of sight, they can still increase your chance of survival.
  4. If you have time and are able to do so without attracting the attention of the shooter, silence your cell phone and any other electronics you have. If they beep, ring, or vibrate while you’re hiding, the shooter may hear and be more likely to approach you. [11]
  5. 5
    If possible, continue to move away from the shooter while staying hidden. If you’ve found an initial hiding spot or area of cover or concealment, you might still be able to run while remaining hidden. While safely hidden, plan a route that will get you to a place where you can run to safety. Then, move from cover to cover to put distance between yourself and the shooter. When you’re closer to the shooter, crouch down and crawl to move between covers, then move more quickly and agilely as you get further from the shooter.
    • You may have to move across a riskier open area, like a hallway or sidewalk. In this case, pause in a safe hiding spot before this risky area. Listen to the shooting, try to figure out a pattern, and discern when the shooter routinely takes a pause to reload. Time your move across the open area during this pause in shooting.
    • However, if it’s too risky for you to move between areas of concealment, then just stay where you are. Assault rifles have a maximum shooting range of about six American football fields. With this type of weapon, you can hear the gun, you can be shot. If you choose to keep moving, do so with purpose and caution.
  6. Get everyone’s attention as quietly and efficiently as possible, then assign them to the following tasks (which are described in more detail in the following steps):
    • One group of people should turn off the lights and lock and barricade the door.
    • One person should call 9-1-1 (or the emergency number in your region).
    • One group of people should grab anything that could be used as a weapon.
  7. If the lights are off, the shooter is much less likely to enter the room, which slightly increases your chance of survival. [12]
  8. Lock the door immediately and do anything you can to make it more difficult for the shooter to enter the room, advises Thompson. Remember that most shooters only have a few minutes before the police show up, so they’re not interested in taking the path of most resistance. To make it more difficult for the shooter to enter your room, lock the door and place a doorstop on it (if you have one). Place all heavy furniture like desks, chairs, and bookshelves in front of the door to deter the shooter. [13]
    • If the shooter is approaching your room, get away from the door and hide yourself in a corner of the room as far as possible from any doors or windows.
    • If you’re hiding in a bathroom that doesn’t have a lock, take a belt, bra, or T-shirt and loop it around the arms of the door butler (the metal hinge on top of the door that allows it to open). Blocking the door butler may prevent or slow the door from opening to the shooter.
  9. A mass shooting typically goes on for about five minutes before anyone calls the police. The faster the police arrive, the fewer casualties a shooting is likely to have. If you have other people in your room who are barricading the door and carrying out other safety steps, calling the authorities immediately can be literally life-saving help. Dial 911 or whatever the emergency number is in your area. [14]
    • If possible, use a landline instead of your cell phone so that the police can automatically trace the call.
    • If you’re unable to speak safely, call 911 can leave the line open so that they can hear what’s happening and trace your call.
    • If you can’t reach a phone to call emergency services, look for a ceiling sprinkler system and try to set it off by hitting it or holding a lighter underneath the detector. This should automatically call the fire department. [15]
    • If someone in your room is injured, let the 911 dispatcher know. They may be able to give you instruction to provide first aid to the injured person.
  10. Look around the room that you’re hiding in and find anything that you can use as a weapon. A weapon could be a stapler or a sharp pair of scissors that you find on the teacher’s desk, the hot coffee in the kitchen of your office, beakers or dangerous acids (e.g., sulfuric acid) in a science room, or anything that’s sharp, heavy, made of glass, or that can be used as a weapon. Hold on to these weapons if the shooter enters the room you’re in. [16]
    • Even small thrown objects can delay a gunman if a large group of people works together. While this strategy is obviously a last resort (and shouldn’t be used if throwing a weapon reveals your hiding spot), anyone who can't find a weapon should still grab something to throw.
    • “In a gymnasium,” Thompson shares, “there’s a bunch of weights that you can throw at somebody. Nobody can shoot anything accurately if they have things whipping past their head. Do that, and just overwhelm them with the amount of violence.”
  11. Although this may seem nearly impossible, it’s crucial that you stay calm and remain absolutely silent . Tell people that whimpering or crying will only make the shooter more likely to find you. Be mentally prepared for the event that the shooter comes into the room and finds you. In that case, you’ll have no choice but to fight, as described below . [17]
  12. People have survived mass shootings by playing dead in areas where shots have been fired in order to avoid being shot . However, some shooters are aware of this tactic and will target bodies by shooting them again. The only time you should try this approach is when both running and hiding are impossible to do safely. [18]
    • If you have been shot by the shooter but are still conscious, you might also try playing dead if you’re unable to run or hide. This way, the shooter will hopefully ignore you and move on to a different area.
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Section 3 of 6:

Surviving a Shooting: Fight Response

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  1. Attacking or defending yourself against the shooter should be your final option. Don’t jump out of your hiding place to attack the shooter if they’re approaching, and don’t attack them if they say they can see you (unless they’re looking directly at you, they’re probably not telling the truth). Don’t try to be a hero. Fighting should only be considered when running and hiding are no longer options, and/or if the gunman puts down or loses their weapon. As a rule of thumb, you should only fight them if you’re sure you’ll be shot if you do nothing. [19]
  2. If you’re in a group of people and cannot avoid the shooter, your best chance is to create as much noise and movement as possible. Shouting, throwing objects, and running may buy you a few extra seconds to leave the room or to attack a distracted shooter if there is no escape route. [20]
  3. Use scissors, glass, or any other sharp or heavy objects to attack the shooter as soon as you are in close proximity. Even a sharp ballpoint pen is better than nothing. You're fighting for your life, and every second counts. [21]
    • Once again, this is an absolute last resort. Most shooters are heavily armed, and some wear body armor. Even if you have a gun of your own, you are most likely at a disadvantage.
  4. Try to hurt the shooter in the face, eyes, shoulders, neck, or arms so that they are more likely to let go of their weapon. You should stab them in the neck, gouge out their eyes, or stab them in the arm—doing anything you can to make them get rid of the weapon or to hurt them so the weapon is within your reach. [22]
    • You can also kick them in the crotch. This move is more effective if the shooter is a man, although it could still hurt, distract, and discourage a female shooter. If you can't reach their crotch, go for their face or weapon. This will be an effective way to disarm them and to cause them a large amount of pain.
  5. Get as close as you can to the shooter without being noticed. Grab the barrel of their gun with one hand and cover the ejection port with your other hand (try to keep the muzzle pointed away from you and any other people). The shooter will pull the trigger and the gun will fire, but only once, because the hand covering the ejection port will cause a malfunction and the weapon will not cycle another round. [23]
    • That weapon is now a useless hunk of metal until the shooter can clear and cycle another round manually—which gives you time to take the weapon away and subdue the shooter.
  6. Once you’re in a situation where you’re directly attacking the shooter, hesitation or panic can be fatal. Be as aggressive as possible, attacking the gunman with anything you can. At this point, do not try to run or stop fighting, even if you’re shot in the leg or arm. [24]
  7. Trying to engage with the shooter, ask them why they’re doing this, or plead for your life by talking about your family has not been proven effective when dealing with active shooters. Don’t waste your time by trying to talk to them—you’re much better off fighting. [25]
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Section 4 of 6:

What to Do When Authorities Arrive

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  1. When the first wave of police officers arrive, they’re there to locate and deal with the shooter in order to prevent further casualties, not to rescue people. Even if you hear the authorities arriving, avoid leaving your hiding spot or getting in their way. [26]
    • If you are wounded, wait for a paramedic or firefighter to locate you.
  2. When you’re within sight of the police, raise your hands and spread your fingers. They have no way to know whether or not you’re one of the shooters, so make it visually clear that you have no weapon and you are not a threat. Keep your hands visible at all times until you’re with the police and have been moved to safety. [27]
  3. If you know anything about where the shooter is, the type of weaponry they have, or the location of injured victims, let the nearest officer know. Specifically, be sure to provide the police officers (or 911 operator) with the following information, if you know it: [28]
    • The location of the active shooter
    • The number of shooters that you witnessed (if there’s more than one)
    • A physical description of the shooter (i.e., sex, height, weight, hair color, clothing, etc.)
    • The number of and type of weapons that the shooter has
    • The number of potential casualties so far
  4. If you see police streaming into your building or area where the shooting is happening, run in the direction that they came from—if it’s safe for you to move and flee. Keep your hands raised and visible the whole time and don’t stop to ask them for help or directions. [29]
  5. If a police officer gives you an instruction or command, follow it as quickly as possible and without any argument or discussion. [30]
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Section 5 of 6:

Preventing & Preparing for a School or Workplace Shooting

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  1. When you’re in your classroom or office area, identify all exits from the rooms where you spend the most time. This includes emergency exits, fire escapes, and windows. Ideally, plan at least two escape routes out of your school or workplace, just in case the shooter is blocking one of them. [31] .
    • Don't rule out second-story windows or windows that you would have to break. You can survive cuts from broken glass or a broken leg from a fall, maintains Thompson.
  2. Every school and office has some kind of lockdown procedure that specifies how doors should be locked, where people should hide, and how authorities should be contacted in an active shooter situation. So, if you’d like to be prepared for a shooting, become familiar with your organization’s standard procedure when it comes to shootings. [32]
    • Unfortunately, it may be difficult to follow the protocol exactly in the event of a shooting, but knowing what it is can help you react in the most helpful way possible.
  3. Stay alert and always report suspicious incidents to the appropriate authorities. If a student or coworker talks about killing people or threatens to bring a knife or gun to school, report this to a teacher or law enforcement. You may prevent significant violence by taking these remarks seriously and reporting them. [33]
    • Shooters often adopt a fantasy of being a militia or military operator. If you see someone who’s wearing army boots or fatigues in a setting where this clothing doesn’t make sense, take note of this individual.
    • Pay attention to if this person (or any other individual) is carrying a large, heavy-looking duffel bag or if they’re wearing unseasonably heavy clothing. Consider if they seem to be nervous or are sweating in a nervous way.
    • If you have valid reason to be suspicious of this individual, report their behavior to the nearest security guard or person of authority.
  4. If you’d really like to be prepared for a shooting, take self-defense classes or other classes that teach you how to fight off an attacker in the event of an attack or shooting. Knowing a few fighting tricks can help you feel more confident if you have no choice but to attack a shooter.
    • That said, you should never bring a weapon to school or work just in case there is a shooting.
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Section 6 of 6:

How long does it take police to respond to an active shooter?

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  1. The average police response time to an active shooter incident is 10 minutes. To be precise, it takes a police officer (on average) ten minutes and 30 seconds to show up at a shooting scene after a high-priority emergency call is received. However, this is just the average, authorities may arrive within a few minutes in some cases. The timing can vary based on where the shooting occurs, with larger cities often having quicker response times when compared to small towns. [34]

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    If I am under a desk and the attacker's legs are visible, is it wise to tackle the shooter?
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    In this situation, the shooter would not likely be aware of your presence, so you should remain concealed. The only time you should attack is if you are in immediate physical danger.
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    What do I do if they have a heavy weapon?
    Community Answer
    Generally, you should follow the same directions mentioned in the article. If they have a heavy weapon, it is not wise to attack the shooter unless you are in immediate danger, and if you do have to engage in combat, you should do it as a group.
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    Can I be charged with anything for harming the attacker?
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    If you hurt the shooter, it's almost certainly going to be considered self-defense, so you would not be charged.
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      Tips

      • Any violent event, like a shooting, is likely to be traumatizing and psychologically affecting. If you’ve been involved in one, consider speaking with a counselor or therapist afterwards, even if you don’t feel particularly affected by the event.
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      • Don’t let the fear of a shooting change your life. Although it’s worth being prepared for a shooting, the chance of any one specific person experiencing one is rare, and it’s not worth living your life in fear.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you must fight, grab a chair that is light enough for you to carry, but heavy enough to injure the shooter. Chairs are a good weapon because they can be found almost anywhere in a school or workplace.
      • If you live in a dangerous area, encourage loved ones or frequent callers of your device to not call during a public shooting event.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://uvaemergency.virginia.edu/tips-surviving-active-shooter-attack
      2. ↑ https://emergencymanagement.utexas.edu/safety/active-shooter-response-guide
      3. ↑ https://cops.usdoj.gov/html/podcasts/the_beat/08-2019/The_Beat_Hunter.pdf
      4. ↑ https://uvaemergency.virginia.edu/tips-surviving-active-shooter-attack
      5. ↑ https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/“don’t-run-straight-line”-and-other-bad-advice-0
      6. ↑ https://uvaemergency.virginia.edu/tips-surviving-active-shooter-attack
      7. ↑ https://www.ready.gov/public-spaces
      8. ↑ https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/police/documents/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      9. ↑ https://uvaemergency.virginia.edu/tips-surviving-active-shooter-attack
      1. ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      2. ↑ https://uvaemergency.virginia.edu/tips-surviving-active-shooter-attack
      3. ↑ https://www.ready.gov/public-spaces
      4. ↑ https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/police/documents/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.charleston-sc.gov/653/How-Fire-Sprinklers-Work
      7. ↑ https://www.ready.gov/public-spaces
      8. ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.edweek.org/leadership/i-dont-want-it-to-happen-again-student-who-played-dead-during-shooting-tells-congress/2022/06
      10. ↑ https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/police/documents/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      11. ↑ https://emergencymanagement.utexas.edu/safety/active-shooter-response-guide
      12. ↑ https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/police/documents/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      13. ↑ https://www.hialeahfl.gov/844/Self-Defense-Tips
      14. ↑ https://www.ready.gov/public-spaces
      15. ↑ https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/police/documents/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      16. ↑ https://safety.phsc.edu/procedures/active-shooter-response
      17. ↑ https://uvaemergency.virginia.edu/tips-surviving-active-shooter-attack
      18. ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      19. ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      20. ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      21. ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
      22. ↑ https://uvaemergency.virginia.edu/tips-surviving-active-shooter-attack
      23. ↑ https://www.snow.edu/offices/safety/shooter_lockdown.html
      24. ↑ https://www.alfred.edu/about/news/studies/lethal-school-violence/can-we-prevent.cfm
      25. ↑ https://umaine.edu/police/crime-prevention/active-shooter/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      A school or workplace shooting is rare, but if it happens, your chance of survival will depend on knowing when to run, hide, and protect yourself. If you hear gunshots in the distance, run away using any escape route you can. Try to put as much space between you and the shooter as possible. If running isn’t possible, or you don’t know where the shooter is, get into a room, turn the lights out, barricade the door with heavy furniture, and lock the door if you can. Grab any weapon you can find, like scissors, a beaker of acid, or a blunt object. Then, hide behind a desk or filing cabinet so the shooter won’t see you as easily. Call the emergency services while trying to be as quiet as you can. As a last resort, lie on the floor and play dead. For more tips, including how to deal with emergency services when they arrive, read on!

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