Shooting Scare At Western Kentucky University

Written by Greg

Something very scary happened today in Western Kentucky. There was a reported shooting on the campus of WKU. The news hit the wire just after noon today, and many of the people I work with who have kids on or near the campus were understandably worried sick. The story conjured images of recent events on other college campuses. Everyone was searching for information, which was sketchy at best. Area elementary, junior high, and high schools were locked down, and the extended campus was evacuated. The main campus was also shut down, with classes being canceled and dormitories locked up. Attempts to contact students by phone or text message was very limited, since all the parents checking on their kids bogged the phone systems down.

As of this evening, all of the facts indicate that the reports of armed gunmen were exaggerated. Local and university police departments have not been able to confirm that firearms were discharged, or for that matter, even present anywhere on university property. Naturally this is a huge relief to everyone. At this time, it is known that there were two separate fights between "individuals" on the campus. Five people were taken into police custody. I’m sure more information will be forthcoming.

As upsetting and frightening as this may have been, I have to say that I’m very impressed with how WKU managed the situation. The administration quickly implemented the emergency plan, and those people who had registered their cell phone numbers through the university received text messages informing them of the emergency. This is what I was told by parents and students who are in the system. This is my shortcoming that this event highlighted for me. I was not registered in any of my community emergency notification systems. An oversight on my part, and one that I’m working to remedy.

What I’ve discovered is that many local news agencies, sheriff departments, police departments, etc. now have registration services so that citizens can sign up for immediate notification by text message in case of an emergency. The services can include severe weather alerts, AMBER alerts, and criminal emergency situations, such as the one that occurred on the campus of WKU. I would encourage everyone to go to your local sheriff’s or police department’s website and look for such an option. If it doesn’t exist, ask them to start a program. Another good source for immediate alerts is the local television stations. Ours provides everything from sports scores (definitely NOT an emergency) to severe weather alerts. I’m going to spend some time digging into this, and if anyone has suggestions for other sources I should be considering, I would appreciate it if you would let me know. Thanks.