Armed intruder

An Armed Intruder is an individual actively engaged in trying to harm or kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, armed intruders use firearms, knives, or lethal weapons. Sometimes there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims, and sometimes the violence is targeted towards particular people (e.g., women, members of religious groups, sexual minorities).

If you receive an emergency alert like the one shown below, it means a serious incident is in progress and you must quickly assess your surroundings.

Alerts are designed to interrupt your routine, warn you of potential danger, and prompt you to choose an appropriate action. When you receive one, quickly evaluate your situation:

Are you in immediate danger?

• If you’re far from the incident: stay away.
• If you’re close: respond.

Emergencies can move quickly, and the intruder’s exact location may not be known when the alert is sent. The incident could be in your building, a neighbouring one, or elsewhere on campus. Your priority is to stay safe while more information becomes available.

There are three possible actions that you must consider, depending on your proximity to an exit and/or to the attacker.

If you can safely leave the building without confronting an armed intruder, the best option is to get out of harm’s way by leaving the area. Take as many people with you and get away.

Preparedness tips:

• Identify different ways in and out of your office, classroom(s), building(s) or other spaces you frequent.

• Practice taking alternative exits on a regular basis.

• Prepare short and direct phrases to invite others to follow you.

  • “Our best option is to stay here, let's block the doors.”

  • “If you want to leave, do it now. Everyone else, let's lock the door and hide here."

If you consider that you can’t get out safely, find somewhere inside the building to hide. 

Preparedness tips:

• Know if and how to lock your office/study room door.
• If your door doesn't lock: 
  • Locate the room(s) nearest to your work or study space that can be locked.
  • Find hiding places in open areas that you visit regularly.
• When choosing a space, look for a room with no windows, located off a main hallway, and with heavy objects you can use to block the door.
• Prepare short and direct phrases to invite other to follow you.
  • “Our best option is to stay here, let's block the doors.”
  • “If you want to leave, do it now. Everyone else, let's lock the door and hide here”.

The last option, if you are confronted with an attacker, is to defend yourself. 

Preparedness tips:

• Find objects in your environment that you can use to defend yourself.
• Prepare short and direct phrases to invite others to join you.
  • “If you want, throw whatever you can. Now! Stop this person.”

Normal people are capable of extraordinary actions when faced with a life-or-death situation. Working together gives you strength in numbers and increases your ability to overpower an aggressor. Almost any room contains items you can use for protection or as an improvised weapon, fire extinguishers, chairs, desks, objects, books, etc.

The video below describes the Run, Hide, Fight process during an armed intruder event.

Everyone reacts differently in high-stress situations — there is no "right" way to respond. Compassion, for others and yourself, is key.

• Simple gestures — like a kind look or offering to debrief with someone — can provide powerful support during and after an incident.
• Afterward, give yourself permission to step back. Don’t feel pressure to immediately return to work or studies; focus on what helps you feel calm and safe.
• Support looks different for everyone: some may want time off, others may want to talk, while some prefer to move on quietly. All these responses are valid.
• Reflect on what you need, and communicate that with those around you — wether it's your professor, department chair, dean, colleagues, or the Provost.