The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

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A speaker addressed protestors at an Earth Day rally in Schenley Plaza on Monday.
‘Reclaim Earth Day’ protest calls for Pitt to divest from fossil fuels
By Kyra McCague, Staff Writer • April 24, 2024
Stephany Andrade: The Steve Jobs of education
By Thomas Riley, Opinions Editor • April 24, 2024
The best cafés to caffeinate and cram for finals
By Irene Castillo, Senior Staff Writer • April 22, 2024

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A speaker addressed protestors at an Earth Day rally in Schenley Plaza on Monday.
‘Reclaim Earth Day’ protest calls for Pitt to divest from fossil fuels
By Kyra McCague, Staff Writer • April 24, 2024
Stephany Andrade: The Steve Jobs of education
By Thomas Riley, Opinions Editor • April 24, 2024
The best cafés to caffeinate and cram for finals
By Irene Castillo, Senior Staff Writer • April 22, 2024

Eleven injured, one dead after attack on Ohio State campus

At least 11 people were injured after a student used his car and a knife to attack people on the Ohio State University’s campus Monday morning.

Abdul Razak Ali Artan, a Somali-born Ohio State student, ran his car onto the sidewalk and began stabbing people with a knife around 10 a.m. Monday.

A campus officer shot and killed Artan shortly afterward and the administration lifted the “shelter-in-place warning” around 11:30 a.m. Police said they were investigating whether the attack was an act of terrorism, according to an Associated Press report Monday night.

The Lantern, the student newspaper of the Ohio State University, reported that the injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening.

The attack began Monday morning around 10 a.m. when the emergency dispatch center got a report that a vehicle had struck pedestrians, according to The Lantern. Shortly after, an Ohio State officer said shots were fired, which police later determined were fired by officers.  

University Police Chief Craig Stone said in a press conference Monday afternoon police believe it was only one suspect.

The university cancelled classes for the rest of the day, according to the AP report.

In a tweet and campus alerts Monday morning, OSU administration urged students to “Run Hide Fight” from what was initially described as an active shooter situation. Artan, who was armed with a knife, was near the campus’ Watts Hall on 19th and College Streets when the alerts were sent.

The “Run Hide Fight” technique is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s protocol on how to respond when an active shooter is in the vicinity. The phrase means people should run if possible, get out of view if they can not run away and use force to disrupt the shooter if necessary. The Department said that in situations with active shooters, people should keep in mind that victims are selected at random, the event is unpredictable and evolves quickly and law enforcement is generally needed to end the situation.

University of Pittsburgh spokesperson Joe Miksch said he does not believe Pitt has ever been faced with this type of situation.

According to guidelines from the University of Pittsburgh Police Department, students and staff should make note of unusual behavior, persons carrying suspicious packages and be observant for “potential improvised explosive devices.”

The guidelines said students and staff should try to evacuate the location. If evacuation is not possible, they should lock down the building they are in and barricade themselves from the shooter. If this is not possible, they should use “swift, violence force” to attempt to end the situation.