The Reflector

Originally posted by

Concerned Staff

I agree with the previous comment.... where was the maroon alert. Isn't this exactly the type of event (Virginia Tech shooting) that inspired the university to create this system.

I'm not sure that it is fair to compare this incident to Virginia Tech. In that case there was a shooting and the person responsible was still at large, still armed, whereabouts unknown.

In this case it appears that the individuals involved were taken into custody and the weapons confiscated immediately after the campus police arrived on the scene.

So the people making the decision about sending an alert are standing there with the guns in their hands, the suspects already in custody, no fugitive menacing campus and no reason to suspect an ongoing threat.

I'm not sure what an alert under these circumstances could usefully have said or what it would have accomplished.

Originally posted by

Student

I don't believe they needed to send an alert out. Most likely when the police arrived on scene they realized this was between a couple of individuals,not a random shooting. Therefore there was no need to send a Maroon Alert and cause people to panic.

So they should only use the maroon alert when there is a random shooting? You may want to think that one through a bit harder. The student body and staff should be alerted regardless of this being random. The report says that the police determined that this was an isolated event. What if their determination was wrong? Being wrong in this particular situation has grave consequences.

I realize that campus officials do not need to start "yelling fire in the theatre" every time something happens that could threaten student safety but I have to argue that gun shots fired on campus is a time to take ALL necessary precautions, regardless of an apparent end to danger.

Originally posted by

Student

I don't believe they needed to send an alert out. Most likely when the police arrived on scene they realized this was between a couple of individuals,not a random shooting.

Unfortunately the first Va Tech shooting was claimed by police to be an isolated incident concerning a domestic dispute. Since I didn't check my email before class Friday morning...I first heard of this Friday at about 4:00 PM. It would be nice to think that the media exposure to the notification delays in the VT case would warrant immediate notification of any shooting incident (no matter what time of day it occurs). I applaud the university for implementing the Maroon Alert system to keep students safe, but there are still some serious bugs in the system if an incident like this can slip through the crack and students aren't immediately notified. Containing the situation is no reason for not notifying students. Not to harp on it, but the first shooting was "contained" by police at VT.

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." George Santayana

Originally posted by

Kerry

Based only on the appearance that Michael Brown is guilty of nothing more than bringing a gun on campus, he should immediately be reinstated to school and the football team.

Carrying a concealed firearm is a serious crime, so no, i don't think he should be re-instated to the university. plus, Coach Croom has worked hard for years to secure the reputation of the MSU Football team as one of ethics and character, so there's absolutely no way that he should be allowed back on the team.

Originally posted by

Kerry

Based only on the appearance that Michael Brown is guilty of nothing more than bringing a gun on campus, he should immediately be reinstated to school and the football team.

MSU's University Policies Relating to Students (formerly the Bulldog Handbook) under "Policies Regarding Student Behavior" (section 91.120: Possession of Firearms, Explosives, or Other Devices, Substances, or Weapons) states exactly what the school's policy is on firearms: "The university prohibits the possession by a student of any firearm on the campus of Mississippi State University."
"Procedures: 1. Students found in possession of firearms on the university campus may be suspended immediately pending a disciplinary hearing. 2. Students who use firearms threateningly against others, or who discharge firearms on campus, will be arrested and charged in the civil courts. They will also be suspended immediately from the university pending a disciplinary hearing."

Kerry, while you may not agree with the university's policies regarding firearms, all MSU students are expected to know and abide by these policies. The university has clearly spelled out the policy and the procedures for such behavior. Simply disagreeing with the policy doesn't make anyone exempt from the consequences of breaking policies.

The full policy, as well as the Student Code of Conduct, can be found by typing "University Policies Relating to Students" into the search bar on MSU's website.

Originally posted by

Concerned Parent

Completely unacceptable that a Maroon Alert was not issued! In the case of gunfire; student, faculty and staff safety MUST be top priority. To err on the side of caution and protection is the only reasonable action in today's climate and in light of tragic events across college campuses in recent years. Somebody from within administration needs to step up and apologize for potentially putting many people at risk by failing to send appropriate alerts. Then there needs to be solid assurance, from an accountable individual, that should there be a "next time" things will be handled much more appropriately. The point is not whether or not the police eventually determined that there was a threat, rather that they wasted precious time assessing the situation when they should have also been insuring the safety of those they are charged with protecting. On a final note, it's almost impossible not to note that Super Bulldog Weekend might have been a factor in not responding appropriately. An incident including gunfire erupts sometime between 8:30 - 9:30 pm and the FIRST TIME the students and community have official word it around noon the next day! AGAIN - UNACCEPTABLE!

Incidents like this do bring up a good topic...when to issue the alert. Is it issued when a "report" comes in of shots fired? Or should there be some confirmation first? I think that if it is issued right away then we might get a Maroon Alert every week. Then, we wouldn't take them seriously.

I think that the police department did the best job possible. When the report cam in the police investigated and deemed there wasn't a threat. I think that they made the best call possible.

Originally posted by

Da Truth

I think everyone is over exaggerating the whole story. First of all, the investigation is still going on and no one knows what happened except for those who were standing out side. Secondly, it was not a random shooting but and act of self defense. If you are standing outside and a car rides through and opens fire on everyone standing outside and could have killed innocent people, what would you do. I think these two young men thought in the heat of the moment and fired back in self-defense for all innocent parties that were at harm for standing outside their dorm. It's funny how one has bother to mention the party of people who fired first. I personally do not feel that they should have been permenately removed from the football team. I feel they should have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. So if you are going to comment, please make sure you know the whole story.

It doesn't matter if this was self defense or not, Truth. The fact that they had a gun on them in the first place is grounds for immediate dismissal. And I highly doubt that someone would drive by on someone for no reason when the person they are shootingn at also has a gun. There was something shady going on here, and anyone who illegally carries a gun on campus doesn't belong there.

Originally posted by

Da Truth

I think everyone is over exaggerating the whole story. First of all, the investigation is still going on and no one knows what happened except for those who were standing out side. Secondly, it was not a random shooting but and act of self defense. If you are standing outside and a car rides through and opens fire on everyone standing outside and could have killed innocent people, what would you do. I think these two young men thought in the heat of the moment and fired back in self-defense for all innocent parties that were at harm for standing outside their dorm. It's funny how one has bother to mention the party of people who fired first. I personally do not feel that they should have been permenately removed from the football team. I feel they should have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. So if you are going to comment, please make sure you know the whole story.

I know that having possession of a firearm is prohibited on campus and I'm not arguing against that. However, the party that shot first needs to be punished as well. You are right it's something fishy, because there is no way someone is going to decide that they just want to shoot random rounds of fire for the hell of it after all this time of being on campus. Someone initiated the whole incident by shooting first and I think the MSU police are doing a poor job of investigating the whole situation. They said there is no evidence that shows that another party was involved, why because they have a witness who only saw half of what happened, so that makes them a non-credible witness. You say that you just don't believe someone would ride on campus and shoot, well Im sorry to break your heart, thats what happened that night and to know that person is still free is not making campus a safe place because they can do it again, then what will MSU do about it, let him go free again because they can gather sufficient evidence.

Originally posted by

Da Truth

I think everyone is over exaggerating the whole story. First of all, the investigation is still going on and no one knows what happened except for those who were standing out side. Secondly, it was not a random shooting but and act of self defense. If you are standing outside and a car rides through and opens fire on everyone standing outside and could have killed innocent people, what would you do. I think these two young men thought in the heat of the moment and fired back in self-defense for all innocent parties that were at harm for standing outside their dorm. It's funny how one has bother to mention the party of people who fired first. I personally do not feel that they should have been permenately removed from the football team. I feel they should have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. So if you are going to comment, please make sure you know the whole story.

Da Truth,

Were you thre? If not, then you should follow your own advice and STFU, because you don't have all the facts. If so, then you should go tell the Police about what happened, since you claim that the witnesses that they have only saw 1/2 of the story.

You've gotta be getting your information somewhere... why don't you share with us, and with the MSU Police, where you're getting it?

Originally posted by

Da Truth

I think everyone is over exaggerating the whole story. First of all, the investigation is still going on and no one knows what happened except for those who were standing out side. Secondly, it was not a random shooting but and act of self defense. If you are standing outside and a car rides through and opens fire on everyone standing outside and could have killed innocent people, what would you do. I think these two young men thought in the heat of the moment and fired back in self-defense for all innocent parties that were at harm for standing outside their dorm. It's funny how one has bother to mention the party of people who fired first. I personally do not feel that they should have been permenately removed from the football team. I feel they should have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. So if you are going to comment, please make sure you know the whole story.

Sam,

No i was not there but unlike some people I know what the F*** im talking about. I obvious when the other party involoved is telling people that he shoot at them, MSU police is just not doing a good job of investigating and its not my job to do their job for them, thats what they get paid for, so why don't you STFU. Maybe next time they decide they want to drive on campus and shoot at innocent people, you will be there to see and hope they miss yo ass!!!!!