As a gunman charged through the grounds of a Northern California school, authorities credit the quick lockdown and actions of school officials for saving “countless lives and children.”
The gunman, identified as Kevin Neal, killed four people Tuesday and injured 10 others including children in the rampage, where he tried to enter the elementary school.
Reports say teachers rushed to block doors with computers and children were hiding under their desks while the commotion continued outside. Teacher Jennifer Bauman threw herself against a classroom door that wouldn’t lock right.
“I braced myself against the door. I didn’t even think twice. I don’t feel like a hero. I did what I was supposed to do,” Bauman said. “The kids are the heroes.”
The shooter bypassed her door and went on to attack a kindergarten class in another portable building.
“I really, truly believe we would have had a horrific bloodbath at that school,” Assistant Tehama County Sheriff Phil Johnston said.
“If that school hadn’t taken the action when they [heard], early onset, the sound of gunfire away from the school, they went on immediate lockdown and they had practiced it. So I can’t say how important that is.”
In the U.S. around two-thirds of schools practice “active-shooter” drills, and even more have a plan for an active shooter, according to CNN.
In Canada, most schools now have a plan for a school lockdown for emergencies like this, though it’s not mandatory. There are typically two types: hold and secure, and lockdown.
School districts across the country that spoke to Global News said they practice lockdown drills twice a year – or once per term. While it’s not required by law, the Vancouver Public School Board says its common practice for most school districts now.
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The first type, called “hold and secure” or “on-alert”, is “a response to a threat and/or incident in the general vicinity of a school,” while a lockdown is used when the threat is inside the school, according to the Toronto School Board website.
Officials in Vancouver said schools instigate a lockdown “in response to acts or threats of weaponized violence within a school.”
“Regular school activities cease and students and staff secure themselves in a room, turn the lights off and remain silent and out of sight.”
According to the Edmonton Public School board’s website, lockdown procedures and drills for lockdowns have been in place since 2008.
While schools can practice drills and lockdown procedures, officials are warning people of all ages to be prepared for anything.
The northern California school shooting was the second major shooting in the U.S. in as many weeks. After last week’s church massacre in Texas, FBI officials said people should be aware of how to react during these types of events everywhere.
“I think everybody, no matter where you are, needs to think about this. If you’re in a school, in a college, if you go to the movies we should all be thinking about what are we going to do if a crisis breaks out right here,” Christopher Combs, FBI special agent in charge, said at the time.
*with a file from the Associated Press