Surviving a Hostage Situation in a Classroom Environment

1. Surviving a Hostage Situationin a Classroom Environment Andrew Taylor Safety and Loss Control Director Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning

2. Threat Assessment • April 16, 2007: A gunman kills 32 people in a dorm and a classroom at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. The gunman later dies. • 1991…5 + 1 (2)…University of Iowa • 1996…3………….San Diego State • 2000…1 + 1……..University of Arkansas • 2002…3 + 1……..University of Arizona • 2002…3 (2)……..Appalachian School of Law • 2006…3…………Shepherd University

3. Closer to Home… • 16 year old Pearl High School student stabs mother to death before school. • Shoots nine students, killing two. • Two accomplices were involved in plan. • Pearl High School generates many of our incoming freshmen students.

4. Threat Assessment • There are 28 active Hate Groups located in Mississippi. Southern Poverty Law Center 7/2007

5. Hostage Taker vs. Active Shooter • Hostage Taker • Captures hostages to use as “brokering chips” for: • Money • Politics • Revenge • Personal gain or safety • Active Shooter • Kills victims • To “make a statement”, for their “cause” • To destroy a target

6. Capture Phase: From this… …to this Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 1)

7. Phases of a Hostage Situation • Capture Phase • Most dangerous phase • Intruder is trying to take control • Often chaotic and violent • Often best chance to escape • Must assess intent rapidly • Hostage Taker or Killer

9. Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 1) • Capture Phase • If you discern the intruder’s goal is to detain people or take control of your facility for negotiation purposes, remain calm!!!! • If the intruder is actively using a weapon to kill people, you must either “get out” or “take out”! • You have a third choice of staying still / playing dead / doing nothing. Being shot in place is no safer than attempting to get out or take out, in this situation.

10. Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 1) • Capture Phase (if killing is intruder’s intent) • Get out – escape any way possible. Use whatever exit is available and run until you are safe. • Take out – disarm and disable the intruder(s) as quickly as possible with as much force as needed. • Consider that victims outnumber intruders…swarm • Victims can disrupt focus and time frame…moving targets • Don’t allow time for reloading or changing weapons • "The fact that someone walks into a classroom with a gun does not make them a god. Five or six seventh-grade kids and a 95-pound art teacher can basically challenge, bring down and immobilize a 200-pound man with a gun.“ Robin Browne, Response Options

12. Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 2) • Internment Phase • Could last a few hours or a few weeks • Negotiations take place, hostage takers are busy • Employ the “3 C’s”: • Calm…calm hostages lead to calm hostage takers. • Connect…gain their trust and respect as a person, not a brokering chip. Build rapport. • Capitalize…on escape or rescue opportunities.

14. Phases of a Hostage Situation (Phase 3) • Resolution Phase • 80% of hostages worldwide survive their ordeal • Only 3% are killed after kidnap • Resolutions typically happen in one of three ways: • Negotiated Release • Armed Rescue • Escape

15. Negotiated Release • Requires time and patience for negotiations • Usually is the safest option

16. Armed Rescue • Rescuers must be able to tell hostages from hostage takers • Follow instructions such as “lie down, keep still, identify yourself” • Make sure rescuers can see your empty hands • If unsure what to do – stay low

17. Escape • Most risky option • Must weigh against the risk of not escaping • You are betting with your life

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