The official Twitter account for the Louisiana State University (LSU) today tweeted a warning to students, faculty and staff at approximately 2:54 PM local time (US central) indicating an armed intruder was on campus The tweet advises those on the premises to “Run, Hide, or Fight.”
LSUPD: Reported armed intruder in Coates Hall. Run, Hide or Fight. LSUPD on scene. Monitor https://t.co/ZpdXns8r3I for further information.
— LSU (@LSU) August 20, 2019
Little is known about the incident at this time, but local news source WAFB 9 reports there’s been no indication that anyone’s been injured and ABC WBRZ 2 states that “the situation was reportedly under control within about 15 minutes of the alert.” UPDATE: The report from ABC WBRZ 2 is NOT correct as of 3:34 PM local time:
That is NOT correct. The situation is ongoing. Continue to avoid the area or remain in a safe place. We will post when we have more information. https://t.co/nJU8ZyfKwg
— LSU (@LSU) August 20, 2019
Those who are potentially in harm’s way should consider the situation active and dangerous until such time as authorities clear the area.
A follow up tweet was sent by the LSU account to explain the “Run, Hide, Fight” instructions:
Run: Exit the area and move away from danger.
Hide: If escape is not possible, find a safe area to hide.
Fight: This is an absolute last resort.https://t.co/Ow23ySe5gB— LSU (@LSU) August 20, 2019
This protocol comes directly from the US government’s guidance on dealing with active shooters, and thus indicates the armed intruder is likely carrying a firearm. Per the resource at Ready.Gov:
RUN and escape, if possible.
- Getting away from the shooter or shooters is the top priority.
- Leave your belongings behind and get away.
- Help others escape, if possible, but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
- Warn and prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
- Call 911 when you are safe, and describe shooter, location, and weapons.
HIDE, if escape is not possible.
- Get out of the shooter’s view and stay very quiet.
- Silence all electronic devices and make sure they won’t vibrate.
- Lock and block doors, close blinds, and turn off lights.
- Don’t hide in groups- spread out along walls or hide separately to make it more difficult for the shooter.
- Try to communicate with police silently. Use text message or social media to tag your location, or put a sign in a window.
- Stay in place until law enforcement gives you the all clear.
- Your hiding place should be out of the shooter’s view and provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.
FIGHT as an absolute last resort.
- Commit to your actions and act as aggressively as possible against the shooter.
- Recruit others to ambush the shooter with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books, etc.
- Be prepared to cause severe or lethal injury to the shooter.
- Throw items and improvise weapons to distract and disarm the shooter.
The LSU Twitter account has not issued a follow up and calls to the university have gone unanswered as of the time of this story being published.
UPDATE 3:3o PM CDT 20 August: The situation remains ongoing
The situation is ongoing. Continue to avoid the area or remain in a safe place. We will post when we have more information.
— LSU (@LSU) August 20, 2019
UPDATE : 4:53 PM CDT 20 August: LSU has issued an “all clear” after LSUPD investigated the report. According to one LSU official the incident may have been related to a plainclothes police officer wearing a pistol. This hasn’t been confirmed by staff, but the situation now appears to be under control.
Update: LSUPD has investigated the report of an armed subject at Coates Hall and has determined there was no threat. LSU is returning to normal operations.
— LSU (@LSU) August 20, 2019
LSU official just said they're about to send out an All Clear message https://t.co/EcfUFuFf52
— Steve Lookner (@lookner) August 20, 2019
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