FSU shooting sparks campus safety conversations

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Several students on Troy’s campus were left in shock after a mass shooting at Florida State University last Thursday left two people dead and six injured.

“Most of my friends from high school ended up going to FSU since we’re from that area,” said sophomore Colby Williams. “My first thought is I have so many people I need to reach out to and talk to just to make sure everyone is doing ok.”

Williams describes the moment as terrifying, making everything all too real.

“It felt horrifying in that moment,” he said. “It hit really close to home.”

According to the Gun Violence Archive, the United States has seen over 80 mass shootings so far this year, including several on college campuses. With gun violence on the rise, a new fear is igniting among students. The Troy University Police Department (TUPD) says it is working tirelessly to help students feel safe and protected.

“Our officers are regularly training in response to this type of incident,” said Chief George Beaudry.

While specific response tactics are kept confidential, TUPD says it’s doing its best to stay prepared in the case of an active shooter situation.

“We never want this to happen, but we can’t say it won’t happen here,” Beaudry said. “I also don’t want our community to live in fear.”

Beaudry explained that the best thing for students to do in a situation like this can be summed up in three easy words: run, hide, fight.

“When a tragedy like that is occurring, you can’t expect people to think,” Beaudry said. “I like to tell people to make a little plan. When you walk into a new classroom, take a look around and think: if something bad happens and I’m here, what am I going to do?”

Beaudry said that situations like this typically don’t happen out of nowhere, and that there are signs to look out for. Signs include: