MU Police Department teaches students how to survive active shooter situation

The University of Missouri Police Department released an online training video to teach students how to survive an active shooter situation, Wednesday.

Since 2013, there have been nearly 170 school shootings or an average of nearly one per week, according to the website Everytown for Gun Safety.

According to a Time article, the website has tracked down every school shooting since the deadly Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting in 2012.

So far in 2016, there have already been eight reported school shootings across the country.

ABC 17 News asked students on the MU campus if they would know what to if there was an active shooter.

“I would have no idea what to do,” MU freshman Kennedy Allison said. “I would probably just follow what people are doing around me.”

Maj. Brian Weimer with MUPD said the police department released the video Wednesday as part of ongoing training efforts.

“The main thing is to be aware of your surroundings at all times,” Weimer said. “By the time an MU Alert comes out, obviously something’s already had to happen, so that’s why it’s critical to look at this video to be prepared so that you have your own plan in place.”

In the video, MUPD said once an MU Alert is sent out, run if you can.

“Your first and best option is to run,” Weimer said in the video. “Alert others that look confused or misinformed. Move as quickly as you can to a safer area.”

If running is not an option, MUPD told students to hide.

“Turn off the lights, lock the door and find a way to barricade the entry points,” Weimer said in the video.

MU freshman Andre Robiou said MUPD gave a similar training in his residence hall earlier this school year.

“Do anything you can to make yourself small,” Robiou said. Get into a corner away from a window so you can’t be seen or if they try to shoot through a door where you can’t get hit through the door.”

And if running or hiding is not an option, MUPD said the last choice is to fight.

“Find anything nearby that can be used as a weapon,” Weimer said in the video.

MUPD also offers an in-person training course several times a month called, “Citizens Response to Active Threats.” The course is free to anyone affiliated with the university and is also taught in some classrooms as well as residence halls.

You can find the MUPD training course schedule here.