What to do and how to stay safe in Charlotte if you hear gunshots in a public place
From hospitals to schools and grocery stores, the news of mass shootings across the United States has left many feeling vulnerable and concerned for the safety of themselves and their loved ones.
Such a situation occurred Wednesday after in Concord when shots were fired outside Concord Mills Mall.
While it’s difficult to imagine being in a situation where your life is in danger, safety experts say there are steps you can take to increase your chances of survival in an active shooter situation.
“Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation,” the Department of Homeland Security advises.
Here are some tips from DHS for what to do if you hear gunshots in a public place:
Evacuate if possible
If you’re able, the best way to avoid getting hurt in an active shooter situation is to get away from where the shooting is happening.
DHS recommends checking where emergency exits are when you’re in a public place so that you can pinpoint an escape route quickly if you hear gunshots.
You shouldn’t wait for other people to agree to leave, DHS adds, and you should leave belongings behind.
If you can help others escape, you should do so, but you shouldn’t try to move wounded people. And you should tell others in the vicinity to avoid where the shooting is as you flee, DHS says.
Keep in mind that law enforcement will be responding, so you should keep your hands up and listen to any instructions given by first responders.
If you’re safely away from the situation and don’t see law enforcement, you should call 911. If you can, tell the dispatcher your location, how many shooters you saw or heard, any information you have about the shooters and their weapons and how many victims you saw.
Hide if you can’t evacuate
If you can’t flee the scene, “find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you,” DHS says.
A good hiding place, according to DHS, is out of the shooter’s view and has something to protect you if shots are fired such as a closed door. It should also “not trap you or restrict your options for movement.”
Once you’re in a safe hiding place, you should lock any doors and windows and if possible blockade the door with large items, such as furniture. You can also hide behind large items in the space, DHS adds.
You should try to remain calm and silent, and silence devices such as cell phones and radios.
DHS also recommends calling 911 from your hiding place if you can and staying on the line silently even if you can’t talk so the dispatcher can hear what’s happening at the scene.
Fight back if in ‘imminent danger’
Trying to “disrupt or incapacitate” an active shooter should be seen as a “last resort” “only when your life is in imminent danger,” DHS advises.
If you have to do so, you need to “commit to your actions,” DHS says, which should include yelling, “acting as aggressively as possible,” throwing things and improvising a weapon.
Know what to do when first responders arrive
If you hear gunshots in a public place, chances are police and other first responders will soon be there.
It’s important to know what to expect from them and how to react to them, DHS says, in order to stay safe and not interfere with their work.
You should expect officers to
Arrive in teams, often groups of four
Be wearing uniforms and/or “ external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets and other tactical equipment”
Be armed with different types of guns and use other things such as tear gas
Yell commands and even push some people out of the way or on the ground “for their safety”
If you see officers, you should listen to them and put your hands up with your fingers spread, DHS recommends. You should avoid sudden movements, shouting and pointing at officers or asking for help.
“Just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises,” DHS says.
This story was originally published July 18, 2022 at 9:39 AM.
