Active Shooter Training Polaris Columbus: Emergency Responders to Conduct April 17 Training
Columbus, OH – Active Shooter Training at Polaris Columbus will be conducted on the morning of Wednesday, April 17, 2025, at Polaris Fashion Place, located at 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio. This planned safety drill will involve both the Columbus Division of Police and the Columbus Division of Fire, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance emergency response preparedness in public spaces.
The active shooter training is scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. and run through 10:00 a.m. While the training is visible to the public, there is no cause for alarm, as it is a routine simulation designed to test coordination between agencies during high-stress events.
According to the Columbus Police Department, the drill will not be broadcast on any police or fire department radio channels. The goal is to practice realistic response measures in a live environment while keeping disruptions to mall operations and the surrounding community to a minimum.
A History of Gun Violence at Polaris
The decision to host another Active Shooter Training at Polaris Fashion Place follows two separate shooting incidents that occurred in March 2021, which heightened safety concerns in the area.
- On March 3, 2021, a domestic altercation escalated into gunfire inside the Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh store, leading to chaos in the lower level of the mall. Fortunately, no one was injured, though shoppers scrambled to safety as kiosks were hit by bullets. The suspects fled but were later arrested in Georgia and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
- Just 12 days later, on March 15, 2021, another shooting incident took place in the mall’s atrium. Shots were fired during an altercation between two groups, and one man suffered a minor graze wound. The suspect in that case was also convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
What to Expect on April 17
While the simulation will involve visible activity from police vehicles, fire trucks, and tactical teams, shoppers and employees at Polaris Fashion Place are urged to remain calm and avoid the immediate area of the drill.
This training is not only crucial for public safety but also for boosting coordination between emergency departments, ensuring Columbus remains ready for any potential real-life threats.
Stay tuned with us—your leading Columbus media outlet—for updates on local drills, community alerts, and public safety in Columbus, Ohio.
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