UNC Students Criticize School’s Response to Active Shooter Incident
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are expressing their dissatisfaction with the school’s response to an active shooter incident that occurred on August 28. As sirens blared and cell phones lit up with alerts, many students felt unprepared and panicked during the three-hour lockdown and police manhunt that resulted in the arrest of a UNC graduate student.
Micah Baldonado, a senior from Charlotte, described his emotional reaction to the situation, saying, “I know there’s no right way to react, but I just lost it. I couldn’t hold back tears. My teacher actually kept teaching for maybe 30 minutes even after receiving alerts of an active shooter.”
Baldonado is one of many students who have criticized the school’s communication, preparedness, and staff response. He has started a petition demanding substantial and immediate improvements to the active shooter response protocol, which he believes was lacking during the incident.
UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz defended the university’s response, stating that the situation played out as best as they could have asked for. He highlighted the presence of emergency instructions in classrooms and regular drills conducted by staff and resident advisers.
However, students argue that their teachers appeared unprepared and that they were left in an information vacuum during the lockdown. Many expressed confusion and panic due to the lack of detailed information provided by the university.
UNC Police Chief Brian James explained that a mass electronic alert and siren notified the campus of the emergency two minutes after a 911 call about shots being fired. The suspect, Tailei Qi, was in custody within an hour and a half. However, an update sent by the campus alert system at 3:43 p.m. stated that the suspect was still at large, causing further confusion among students.
During the lockdown, students were evacuated from buildings without clear directions, leaving many crying and calling their parents for guidance. Some students, like Baldonado, felt unsafe and exposed during the evacuation.
Liana Evelyn, a freshman, criticized the university’s response, stating that it was callous to be told to carry on with their day after a deadly shooting. She described the chaotic scene during the lockdown and the lack of information provided by faculty.
Rick Amweg, a security consultant, praised the way UNC police communicated with students and staff, but acknowledged that releasing incomplete information about the suspect’s apprehension could have been more dangerous.
Baldonado’s petition demands improvements to the alert system, better faculty training, and locks on all classrooms. He argues that specific and accurate details about active threats are crucial for the safety of students and staff.
UNC campus police defended their decision to withhold information until they were sure the situation was contained and details were verified. They emphasized the rapidly developing nature of the incident and the need for caution.
The university has yet to publicly address the concerns raised by students, but the incident has sparked a conversation about the importance of effective communication and preparedness in active shooter situations.
Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed to this report.
How is the university planning to improve their communication system to provide more timely and detailed information to students during emergencies?
Jarrod Teague acknowledged the students’ concerns and admitted that there were areas for improvement. He emphasized that the university is committed to addressing those concerns and enhancing their response protocols.
In response to the criticism, the university has already taken steps to address the communication issues. UNC spokesperson, Joanne Peters, announced that the university will be implementing a new emergency notification system that will provide more timely and detailed information to students during a crisis. She also mentioned that they are planning to review their active shooter response protocol to ensure that it meets the needs of the university community.
While some students appreciate the efforts being made to improve the school’s response, others remain skeptical. Skylar Armstrong, a junior from Raleigh, stated, “While it’s great that they’re making changes now, it’s disappointing that it took an incident like this for them to recognize the flaws in their system. We need to feel safe on campus, and that includes being able to trust in our institution’s ability to handle emergencies effectively.”
As the university continues to address the concerns raised by students, the focus will be on improving communication, preparedness, and ensuring that faculty and staff are adequately trained to handle such situations. The goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for students, where they can feel confident in the university’s ability to respond effectively in times of crisis.