Active Shooter Situation At Ohio State University
Columbus, OH – An active shooter situation is now occurring at Ohio State University. According to news sources, the incident began around 9:30 a.m. when firefighters were responding to reports of a chlorine leak at the Chemical Engineering building. An individual had driven a vehicle into the building, and then an individual started attacking people inside the building with a knife. It is unclear at this time if these individuals were the same or two different suspects. “Run. Hide. Fight. Watts Hall, 19th and College” was sent out in a Twitter message by Ohio State University administration today at 9:56 a.m. An active shooter had just been reported on the University campus. The same tweet was sent out by campus police, who advised students to shelter in place and avoid the college campus. The latest police reports are that one suspect has been killed and that there is possibly a second suspect. The campus remains on lockdown and traffic is being diverted away from the campus. A perimeter has been set up around much of the North Campus. The latest update from the Ohio State University newspaper The Lantern is that “there is heavy police presence at the Lane Avenue Garage and that an officer told them the remaining shooter was believed to be inside. The photo below shows ambulances lining Woodruff Avenue.
According to OSU, Watts Hall is the university’s materials science and engineering building. News sources report that Ohio State University senior Anthony Falzarano, 22, said “we heard a lot of sirens. I was in class and everyone got a text message at the same time for the emergency alert. Someone said they heard popping right before we got the alert, but I didn’t hear it. We are in a shelter-in-place right now in the building next door. ” Falzarano also said that “there’s a lot of police and fire trucks and an ambulance outside the building. The officers are putting on Kevlar vests and have big weapons. I can’t see anyone going inside the building — there’s just so many cops here.”
Some students piled chairs against a door to barricade themselves. One student, Harrison Roth, tweeted that he “was safe in a barricaded room” and urged students if they were on campus to get inside a room and stay safe. Another student, sophomore Wyatt Crosher, told news sources that he “heard gunfire from across the street.”
News sources report that several individuals have been wounded, with nine individuals known at this time to have been transported to the hospital. One person is listed in critical condition. Four are known to have been shot but there are no further details at this time on the extent of the injuries. According to Ohio State University’s school newspaper, The Lantern, there was one body bag in front of Koffult Labs.
One parent tweeted to run or fight but never hide, to not give the shooter the advantage. According to news sources, “run, hide, fight” is standard protocol for active shooter situations. It means: Run, evacuate if possible; Hide, get silently out of view; or Fight, as a last resort, take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter if your life is in imminent danger.”
The sprawling Ohio State University main campus is one of the nation’s largest with a total of 58,000 students.
The situation is still active and information is continuing to be released at this time. There is a large police presence on campus, which is still on lockdown. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also involved and has sent tactical resources to assist local and campus law enforcement. According to news sources, there are believed to be two active shooters.
We will keep you updated on this developing story. We pray for all to be safe.
