How to Respond When an Active Killer is in Your Vicinity
Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Download the general guidelines for responding to an active killer situation directed towards University of Pittsburgh students, staff and faculty.
When faced with an active killer, evaluate the situation and:
- RUN if a safe path is available. Always try and escape or evacuate even if others insist on staying.
- Encourage others to leave with you but don’t let the indecision of others slow down your own effort to escape.
- Once you are out of the line of fire, try to prevent others from walking into the danger zone and call 412-624-2121 or 9-1-1.
- If you can’t get out safely, find a place to HIDE.
- When hiding, turn out lights, remember to lock doors and silence your ringer and vibration mode on your cell phone
- As a last resort, working together or alone, act with aggression; use improvised weapons and FIGHT.
When Law Enforcement arrives on the scene:
- Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions.
- Immediately raise hands and spread fingers.
- Keep hands visible at all times.
- Avoid making quick movements towards officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety.
- Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling.
Pitt Police officers present active threat response training to students, staff, and faculty upon request. To schedule a training, call 412-624-4040 or email Sgt. Paul Burgh at pab32@pitt.edu.
Call 412-624-2121 or 911 when it is safe to do so.
Information You Should Provide to Law Enforcement or Dispatchers
- Location of the victims and the active killer
- Number of killers, if more than one
- Physical description of the killer(s)
- Number and type of weapons held by the killer(s)
- Number of potential victims at the location
Visit emergency.pitt.edu or police.pitt.edu for more information.