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. 19th 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 19th & 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.”
3:09 p.m. – “UPDATE: All
buildings EXCEPT Student Academic Services are open to retrieve personal items.
19th Ave. still closed. Use 18th 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 29th.”
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.