Armed Intruder

In the event of a violent intruder:

• Listen to alerts given by the priest, deacon or ushers.
• Dial 911 if you are able.
• Remain as calm as possible.
• Leave your personal belongings behind and flee by the nearest and safest route as quickly as possible.
• Continue until you are as far away as possible and out of any line of sight from the church.
• If unable to flee immediately, seek shelter out of the line of sight of the intruder until escape is possible.
• Only confront the intruder if all other options are impossible.
• If confronting the intruder, use any means possible to distract or incapacitate them -- anything that can be thrown such as hymnals, cell phones, purses, etc.
• When police arrive, follow directions immediately. Do not approach the police! Keep your hands where they can be seen.
• First priority of the police is to eliminate the threat and the police will not know it isn’t you unless your hands are up and you are following directions.
• Once the police declare “all clear” follow their directions to leave safely.