Brown University Shooting Siren Policy Explained: President Defends Decision

Two students were killed in a campus shooting at Brown University last week. Nine other people were injured in the tragic incident. University President Christina Paxson has publicly addressed the emergency response.

She defended the choice not to activate the campus-wide emergency siren system. Paxson stated the audible alarm was not suitable for this specific crisis. According to Reuters, the university instead relied on text and email alerts.

University Cites Risk of Panic in Siren Decision

President Paxson explained the reasoning during a recent press conference. She said an active shooter situation requires a different protocol. The loud siren is designed for emergencies like earthquakes or tornadoes.

Its purpose is to tell people to go inside and shelter immediately. In an indoor shooting, that signal could create dangerous confusion. People might run toward the sound and into the building where the threat is located.

The university sent digital alerts to about 20,000 people shortly after the shots were fired. The first warning email was sent approximately 17 minutes after the shooting began. Officials believe this was the safest way to guide the campus community.

Investigation Faces Challenges as Suspect Remains at Large

The decision has sparked debate among some students and observers. Critics point to previous university communications that listed the siren for armed threats. The contradiction has led to questions about preparedness and clear guidelines.

Meanwhile, the investigation faces significant hurdles. The suspect has not been identified and remains at large. The FBI is now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Another challenge is the lack of clear security footage. The building where the attack occurred is older and has limited camera coverage. Authorities confirm none of the over 800 campus cameras captured the shooter’s face.

The community continues to mourn as the search for the Brown University shooting suspect intensifies, while campus safety protocols undergo intense scrutiny.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Why didn’t Brown University sound the emergency siren during the shooting?

President Christina Paxson stated the siren could cause panic and might inadvertently direct people toward an indoor threat. The university determined text and email alerts were a safer, more precise method for an active shooter scenario.

How many people were hurt in the Brown University shooting?

The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of two students. Nine other individuals were injured in the attack on campus last week.

Has the shooter from the Brown University incident been caught?

No. The suspect remains at large and has not been publicly identified. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Why is there no security camera footage of the shooter?

The shooting took place in an older campus building with limited CCTV coverage. Investigators confirmed that despite over 800 cameras on campus, none captured usable footage of the suspect’s face.

What is the university doing now to improve safety?

University leadership is reviewing all emergency protocols in light of the tragedy. They are also fully cooperating with the ongoing law enforcement investigation led by the FBI.