January 20, 2026 - Safety preparation – Campus resources for an active shooter situation
Dear campus community,
Welcome to a new semester at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. As the semester begins, we remain committed to ensuring our campus is a safe place where we all can work, learn and thrive. The UMSL Police Department, in coordination with local law enforcement, is well prepared to respond to emergencies, including active shooter situations. It is also important that each person knows the resources available and best practices to keep themselves safe during an active shooter situation on campus. By staying prepared and vigilant, we can protect the well-being of our entire Triton community.
In the event of an active shooter at UMSL, you will receive a message from the UMSL Alert emergency notification system providing important information and frequent updates as the threat evolves. An “all clear” alert will be sent when the situation is resolved. If you are not signed up for UMSL Alerts, register today. In addition, make sure you follow official university channels for accurate information during an emergency including the www.umsl.edu website.
The choices you make during an imminent threat are critical to your safety. Please review the resources below, including those on the RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.® strategy for responding during an active shooter situation:
- Department of Homeland Security Planning and Response to an Active Shooter guide
- Department of Homeland Security "Run, Hide, Fight!" active shooter training video
- UM System Run. Hide. Fight. training video (percipio)
- "What To Do In An Emergency" wall poster
- Download and use the UMSL Guardian App
If you observe an immediate threat or feel in danger while on campus, call 911 when safe to do so. For other safety concerns or questions, please contact UMSLPD. If you are interested in additional safety information, active shooter training is available through UMSLPD by contacting Lt. David Woods at woodsc@umsl.edu.
Your safety is our highest priority. Staying prepared helps protect yourself and others. Thank you for your commitment to the UMSL community.
Sincerely,
Kristin Sobolik, Chancellor
Marisa Smith, Chief of Police