SDSO Warn Public About Active Shooter Drill at Grossmont College

The following information is from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. For more information, contact the Santee sheriff’s office at (619) 659-4000.

An active shooter drill by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will be conducted at Grossmont College on July 16 and July 18.

Sheriff’s deputies and the other officers will participate in the training from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. both days.

The drill will involve sounds of gunfire to simulate a situation where a gunman is shooting at people. Teams of deputies and officers will make their way through the campus with mock firearms, practicing how they would track down a gunman. After neutralizing the threat, deputies will check the classrooms and proceed with evacuation procedures. Teen volunteers will pose as students. Evaluators will be on hand to watch the exercise 

An active shooter by definition is someone who displays the ability and willingness to shoot people indiscriminately and without regard to his or her safety. It's a scenario that no one wants to think about, but law enforcement is ready to respond in the event a real emergency occurs.

The goal is to practice positions in entering and clearing a room, communication via radio or hand signals, locating and removing victims, providing security for paramedics, finding evacuation routes, establishing a rescue plan and what to do when a team member is down.

Some classes are in session for the summer break, but students and staff were notified via email and text messages. People who live or work near Grossmont College need not be concerned about the extra presence of law enforcement, as well as the sound of gunfire because it is only a drill.

Road signs will be posted informing the public of the training. Public notification will also be done through the Sheriff's website, social media pages and NIXLE (notification service via web, email or text message).