{"id":7982,"date":"2025-04-29T15:13:43","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T15:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/trojanvision\/?p=7982"},"modified":"2025-04-29T15:13:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T15:13:43","slug":"fsu-shooting-sparks-campus-safety-conversations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/trojanvision\/2025\/04\/29\/fsu-shooting-sparks-campus-safety-conversations\/","title":{"rendered":"FSU shooting sparks campus safety conversations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION<\/a>) \u2014 Several students on Troy\u2019s campus were left in shock after a mass shooting at Florida State University last Thursday left two people dead and six injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost of my friends from high school ended up going to FSU since we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Williams describes the moment as terrifying, making everything all too real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt felt horrifying in that moment,” he said. “It hit really close to home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Gun Violence Archive<\/a>, 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<\/a> (TUPD) says it is working tirelessly to help students feel safe and protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur officers are regularly training in response to this type of incident,\u201d said Chief George Beaudry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While specific response tactics are kept confidential, TUPD says it\u2019s doing its best to stay prepared in the case of an active shooter situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED NEWS: Troy University Police Department teaches active shooter safety<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe never want this to happen, but we can\u2019t say it won\u2019t happen here,” Beaudry said. “I also don\u2019t want our community to live in fear.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen a tragedy like that is occurring, you can\u2019t 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\u2019m here, what am I going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beaudry said that situations like this typically don\u2019t happen out of nowhere, and that there are signs to look out for. Signs include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n