Facebook has activated the page titled “ The Violent Incident in Columbus, Ohio: Facebook Safety Check ” on Monday, November 28, in the midst of the violence that occurred at the Ohio State University campus. The Facebook safety check-in allows concerned family members and friends to check if their loved ones are safe without having to call or text the person they are concerned about.
As noted by Facebook users, sometimes it is important to not call or text people who could, in fact, have been hiding in such a circumstance as the one that happened at Ohio State University. Whereas at times it is critical for people in emergencies to be able to gain help from loved ones via calls or texts, at other times, if a person is hiding and trying to remain quiet so that an active shooter or attacker can’t find them, it is critical not to call or text until the emergency has passed.
As such, the Facebook safety check allows people on the Ohio State University campus in Columbus to check in and tell all of their Facebook friends they are safe.
ABC News reports that thus far, a total of 10 people have been brought to local hospitals in the Columbus area in the wake of what was initially reported as an “active shooter” on the OSU campus. (The press conference video link, included below, reports that a total of nine people were brought to the hospital, with one in critical condition.)
The Columbus Fire Department noted that nine out of those 10 people were in stable condition, with one person being critical. The Ohio State University campus attack victims received wounds from a stabbing and a vehicle. The publication reports that the suspect is, in fact, dead, and the Ohio State University campus is secure.
While the facts regarding the incident on the Ohio State University campus are still being verified, officials stated that warnings began to go out to the public a little before 10 a.m. on Monday. What many presumed to have been gunshots from an “active shooter” on campus are now believed to be the gunshots from Columbus police potentially taking down the attacker at the Ohio State University campus.
As seen in the photo above, a vehicle remains inside of police caution tape on campus at Ohio State University.
A press conference was displayed via video by WOSU Public Media .
The press conference featured Ohio State University President Michael Drake speaking about the attack on the university’s campus.
During that press conference, it was noted that the male suspect jumped a curb with his car. He then got out of the car and began slashing people with a butcher knife.
There were rumors of a second attacker on campus, but at this point, those rumors have not been verified, as noted in the above press conference video.
The photos above show students at the Ohio State University campus leaving buildings as cops dealt with the attacks.
On social media, comments like the below ones are being published in the wake of the OSU attack.
“ OSU Emergency Mngmnt: UPDATE: Police continue to process scene. Avoid area between College & Neil, Glenn & Woodruff. Lane Ave.Garage and SAS building remain close.”
“ Garrett : My thoughts and prayers go out to the students at Ohio State University this morning.”
“ Jessica Blankenship : I feel sick after reading the news reports from the horrific events at The Ohio State University today. # PrayForOSU ”
“ Brunell Donald-Kyei : Lord Jesus please protect those at Ohio State University! Lord be a shield around the students and allow law enforcement 2 end this quickly!”
[Featured Image by John Minchillo/AP Images]
