#BuckeyeStrong

Early Monday morning, a student of The Ohio State University was shot dead by police after he drove into about eight pedestrians and continued to stab multiple people with a butcher knife (ABC News). The incident was reported by OSU officials as an active shooter warning at 9:52 a.m. Less than two hours later, OSU police said the scene was secure and police lifted the shelter-in-place alert.

Alan Horujko, an OSU officer, fatally shot the suspect, Abdul Razak Ali Artan. The motive of the suspect is still unknown.

OSU communicated with its students through “Buckeye Alert” messages delivered through email, text messaging and social media. Below is a timeline of communication from The Ohio State University Emergency Management department to the public.

9:57 a.m. – “Active shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19^th and College.”

10:02 a.m. – “Continue to shelter in place. Avoid area of College. More information to follow.”

10:20 a.m. – “Continue to shelter in place in north campus area. Follow directions of Police on scene.”

10:35 a.m. – “Continue to shelter in place. Wait for Police officer’s directions. Please contact Police / 9-1-1 only if you have information to report.”

11:30 a.m. – “UPDATE 1/2: Shelter in place lifted. Scene is now secure. ALL classes are canceled on Columbus campus for the remainder of the day.”

11:32 a.m. – “UPDATE 2/2: Area around 19^th & College Ave. is closed. List of buildings closed and additional information at emergency.osu.edu”

12:27 p.m. – “UPDATE: Police continue to process scene. Avoid area between College & Neil, Glenn & Woodruff. Lane Ave. garage and SAS building remain closed.”

1:28 p.m. – an official statement from the university was released.

3:09 p.m. – “UPDATE: All buildings EXCEPT Student Academic Services are open to retrieve personal items. 19^th Ave. still closed. Use 18^th or Woodruff for building access.”

4:07 p.m. – “The @OSUPolice confirm Officer Alan Horujko shot and killed the suspect, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, Monday morning.”

5:09 p.m. – “UPDATE: All classes on the Columbus campus will resume normal schedule as of Tuesday, November 29^th.”

The Ohio State University shared and retweeted every post from The Ohio State University Emergency Management page to spread awareness to a broader audience. OSU acted swiftly and efficiently, reducing panic and terror.

The university is now using the hashtag #BuckeyeStrong to unite the campus community. OSU also proved they were #BuckeyeStrong by holding a gathering to listen, learn and heal as a community.

First, thank you to The Ohio State University and all law enforcement involved in protecting the campus community and second, prayers to the family and friends of those affected by the incident Monday morning.