Active shooter

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

View active shooter training video

How to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinity

Run

Have an escape plan in mind.
Leave your belongings behind.
Keep your hands visible.

Hide

Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view.
Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors.
Silence your cellphone and/or pager.

Fight

Take action as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.
Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter.
Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter.

Call 911 when it is safe to do so

How to respond when law enforcement arrives

Remain calm and follow the officers’ instructions.
Put down items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets).
Immediately raise hands and spread fingers.
Keep hands visible at all times.
Avoid quick movements toward offices such as attempting to hold onto them for safety.
Do not stop to ask offices for help or direction when evacuating.

Information you should provide to law enforcement or 911 operator

Location of the active shooter.
Number of shooters.
Number and type of weapons held by shooter(s).
Number of potential victims on location.

Coping with an active shooter situation

Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers.
Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit.
If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door.
Attempt to take the active shooter down as a last resort.

Profile of an active shooter
An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms.

Characteristics of an active shooter situation

Victims are selected at random.
The event in unpredictable and evolves quickly.
Law enforcement is usually required to end an active shooter situation.

For more information, call the University of Maine Police Department at 581.4040.

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security