If There is an Active Campus Shooter
Remember:
When safe and able, call College Police at 619-388-6405 and/or 911.
Prioritize Immediate Safety
Scenario A: if there is an active shooter in a building you are in, follow the Run, Hide, Fight procedures:
- First and foremost, RUN.
- Have an escape route and plan in mind.
- Leave your belongings behind.
- Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
- Help others escape, if possible.
- Do not attempt to move the wounded.
- Prevent others from entering an area where the intruder may be.
- Call the appropriate emergency number for your campus or (911) when you are safe.
- If you cannot get out safely, you need to HIDE.
- Keep the attacker away from you.
- Hide in an area out of the intruder’s view.
- Lock the door or block entry to your hiding place.
- Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode) and remain quiet.
- As a last resort, and only if your life is at risk, FIGHT.
- You have a right to defend yourself.
- Incapacitate the intruder.
- Do not fight fair.
- Act with as much physical aggression as possible.
- Improvise weapons or throw items at the intruder.
- Commit to your actions. Your life depends on it.
- If you get the weapon away from the shooter, keep the weapon out of reach of everyone.
- Do not hold the weapon. Responding officers might think you are the shooter.
Scenario B: There is an active shooter alert, on campus, in another building, or unknown area.
- Everyone in hallways or open areas should seek shelter in the nearest room.
- Lock and barricade doors.
- Close windows and window treatments.
- Turn off lights.
- Crouch down in areas that are out of sight from doors and windows.
- Should the fire alarm sound, do not evacuate the building unless:
- You have firsthand knowledge that there is a fire in the building, or
- You have been advised by Police/Security to evacuate the building, or
- There is imminent danger in the immediate area.
- Do not leave the classroom or office until there is an announcement by the building administrator (or designee) and/or the police.
Mesa Specific Information
The SDCCDsafe app is the safety communication tool for the San Diego Community College District. The application integrates directly with Campus Police to distribute real-time emergency notifications and crisis alerts. Available for iOS and Android devices. Download the SDCCDsafe App
Reach out to College Police to schedule an ALICE Training (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) with your department.
Last Updated: 8/11/26
