USU sends accidental alert for an armed aggressor on campus
Utah State University’s public safety department accidentally sent an announcement alerting students of an armed aggressor on campus.
During installation of new emergency alert buttons today, a message about an armed aggressor was accidentally sent to the USU Logan campus. An all-clear alert was sent out within minutes to let the campus know it was a false alarm.https://t.co/rZnP6hpHao
— Utah State University (@USUAggies) February 20, 2019
The original message, sent via Code Blue at 3:02 P.M., said “An armed aggressor has been reported on the USU Logan campus. RUN away if it’s safe to do so. If you cannot run away, HIDE, and seek shelter, lockdown immediately. As a last resort, and only if your life is in imminent danger, FIGHT. More information will be available at www.emergency.usu.edu as it becomes available.
Lockdown instructions:
- Go to a room that can be locked or barricaded by using available materials.
- Close the window blinds, turn off the lights, and seek concealment behind walls, desks, file cabinets, and other furniture.
- Get everyone down on the floor so that no one is visible from outside the room. Spread out in the space.
- Silence your cell phone.
- Be ready to FIGHT if necessary.
About ten minutes later, another alert was sent out giving the all clear, explaining that the warning was sent accidentally during testing of the Code Blue system.
Many USU students took to Twitter to voice concerns over the accident.
How do you send a code blue on accident? I would like to know.
There is students who are having anxiety and panic attacks over this. This is not okay. pic.twitter.com/TpThydS8I8
— kretzel (@ThatKetzyKid) February 20, 2019
EIGHT minutes is how long it took @USUAggies from the time they sent out an alert saying there was an armed aggressor on campus and we should run away, to the time they sent out an “oops we hit a button on accident”. Most only got emails, not texts. Things need to change.
— Megan Crosland (@megcrosland) February 20, 2019
Is anyone else riddled with anxiety right now?
It may have been an accidental alert but the reality of an active shooter on USU’s campus is a matter of WHEN, not IF.
— krista steed (@steed_krista) February 20, 2019