Courtesy of Henderson Office of Emergency Management

On March 12, 2026, a shooting in Norfolk, Virginia at Old Dominion University occurred when a gunman entered a classroom in Constant Hall and opened fire during a Reserves Officer

Training Corps class. The attacker killed Army ROTC instructor Brandon Shah and wounded two others before being subdued and killed by ROTC students who intervened to stop the attack. Authorities later said the incident was being investigated as an act of terrorism, and campus alerts instructed students and staff to avoid the area while police responded.

Incidents like this highlight the importance of having a clear active shooter plan for employees and staff. Training employees on procedures such as Run, Hide, Fight, emergency communication, and how to quickly secure rooms or assist others can significantly reduce confusion and response time during a crisis.

When staff understand how to react, they can help guide students, coordinate with first responders, and potentially prevent additional injuries or loss of life. Having a well-developed active shooter plan ensures that everyone on campus—employees, students, and visitors—has a better chance of staying safe during a rapidly evolving emergency.

 Intruder/Active Shooter Response:

When a hostile person is actively causing an imminent threat of harm, including a potentially deadly situation, or is barricaded within a building, the following procedures should be followed:

• Train all staff and the Safety Team(s), on the Run, Hide, Fight Model
• Run–If the perceived threat is not in the immediate are, run may be the best option. Evacuation procedures should be followed.
• Hide–If the perceived threat is nearby, hide may be the best option. Occupants should lock down in the area they are presently at or in a room nearby.
• Fight–If confronted with the shooter, the decision to fight may be your only option. This is an individual decision. (Yours and yours alone).
• Call or text 911—Only if it is safe to do so. Do not assume someone else has already made the call.
• DO NOT sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm signals the occupants in the room(s) evacuate because there is a fire thus could place them in direct aim of the shooter as they attempt to exit.

Law Enforcement’s Arrival on Scene:

• When law enforcement reaches you, do not run at them or make sudden movements.
• The priority of law enforcement is to identify the shooter, which means to ensure that you are not the shooter.
• Do not scream, yell, point, or wave your arms.
• Do not hold anything in your hands that could be mistaken for a weapon (including cell phones).
• Be quiet and compliant.
• Show the officers your empty hands and follow their instructions.
• Give the number of shooter(s).
• Give the location and physical description of the shooter(s).
• Give the number and types of weapons.

When it is safe to do so, you will be given instructions on how to safely exit your location.

As the Henderson Emergency Management Agency, it is both our responsibility and our commitment to protect the best interests of our community, including preparing for the possibility of an active shooter event. The information provided within is intended for everyone, and we strongly encourage employers to develop and conduct training exercises within their organizations. Preparing for the unthinkable today can help save lives tomorrow.

Ward is the director’s assistant in the Henderson Office of Emergency Management.