Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE)
Active shooter situations are very dynamic, rapidly evolve, and often are over before emergency responders arrive at the scene. If you find yourself in an active shooter situation, try to remain as calm as possible and use these suggested actions as a guide to help you strategize a course of action.
Keep in mind that how you personally choose to respond to an active shooter will be greatly dictated by the specific circumstances of the encounter.
AVOID. DENY. DEFEND.
Should you ever find yourself in an active shooter situation, your survival may depend on how you respond.
There are three things you could do that make a difference: AVOID. DENY. DEFEND.
AVOID
Starts with your state of mind:
- Pay attention to your surroundings.
- Have an exit plan.
- Move away from the source of the threat as quickly as possible.
- The more distance and barriers between you and the threat, the better.
- Call University Police at 956-882-4911 when you are safe.
DENY
When getting away is difficult or maybe impossible:
- Keep distance between you and the threat.
- Create barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you.
- Lock doors.
- Turn the lights off.
- Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects and silence your phone.
Your hiding place should:
- Be out of the shooter's view.
- Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.
- Not restrict your options for movement.
DEFEND
As a last resort, and only if your life is in danger:
- If you cannot Avoid or Deny, be prepared to defend yourself.
- Be aggressive and committed to your actions.
- If you can, separate the attacker from their weapon.
- Do not fight fairly, consider items that you can use as an improvised weapon. THIS IS ABOUT SURVIVAL.
Arriving law enforcement's first priority is to stop and engage the shooter as soon as possible. Once the shooter has been stopped, first responders can tend to any wounded.
When law enforcement arrives:
- Remain calm and follow instructions.
- Keep your hands visible and empty at all times.
- Avoid pointing or yelling.
- Know that help for the injured is on its way.
When safe, call University Police at 956-882-4911 and provide the following:
- Location of the shooter (campus/building/floor/room).
- Direction of travel.
- Number of shooters, if more than one.
- Physical description of shooter/s.
- Type of weapons held by the shooter/s.
- Location and injuries of potential victims (campus/building/floor/room).