Active Assailant
An active assailant is an individual posing an immediate threat of death or grievous bodily harm to innocent persons. This is a criminal act. They are often dynamic and unpredictable and last for a short duration (often over with 10-15 minutes).
Types of active assailant incidents may include:
- Terrorist attack (very unlikely)
- Related attack (very unlikely)
- Random attack (very unlikely)
- Disgruntled employees
- Abusive partners of employees
In 2014, Mount Royal University partnered with other post-secondary institutions to release a video titled "Shooter on Campus: Know You Can Survive." The nine-minute video, produced by the Campus Alberta Risk and Assessment Committee (CARA). The video contains some material that some viewers may find unsettling. It contains fire arms, gun shots and screaming.
Characteristics of the event
What to look out for:
- Preparation warning behaviour
- Indicators of research or planning (e.g., particular interest shown in entrances or security, taking pictures)
- Fixation warning behavior
- Increasing negative focus on person or cause
- Angry emotional undertones, usually with decreasing social interaction and deteriorating work
- Unexplained changes in lifestyle or stated beliefs
- Aggressive behavior
- Warnings to others
If you see this behavior, or a situation that poses a significant risk at Mount Royal, you need to report it to the Concerning Behavior on Campus Team (CBCT) by contacting Security Services at 403.440.5900.
All information is strictly confidential.
Response
This information has been shared by the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA)
When safe, immediately notify the Police at 9-1-1 (9-9-1-1 on internal phones). Provide the following:
- Location
- Number of attacker(s)
- Description of attacker(s)
- Number and type of weapons
- Number of potential victims
First option should be to GET OUT.
If there is an escape path, attempt to evacuate.
Have route and plan in mind
Leave belongings behind
Help others, if possible
Evacuate even if others stay; warn others
Exit with hands visible (if the Police are on scene, they will have guns drawn; ensure they know you are not a threat)
Keep going until in a safe location (Muster Points)
Hide out of shooter's view
Ballistic protection
Lock or barricade the door with heavy items
Turn off lights
Hide behind large items
Silence cell phonesStay quiet
Individual choice
Act as aggressively as possible
Work together, use improvised weapons
Commit to your actions