TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State University continues to refine training and security a year after a shooter opened fire at the Strozier Library, injuring three. A previous incident at the library led to security changes that saved lives.
Three people were injured in the shootings last year at the FSU library. One remains paralyzed from the waist down.
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Security footage from the FSU library shows the soon-to-be shooter approaching the turnstile entrance to the main building. He's stymied without an access card, turns around and goes outside. Police Chief David Perry said the simple barrier saved lives.
"So without that turnstile system, our shooter walks right into the library and finds a comfortable, quiet place, and then he takes out his weapon and he starts shooting groups of innocent students who are unsuspecting," Perry said.
The turnstile access was installed after a rape six years before the shooting. Now, an after-action review of last November's assault is coming up with more ideas for student safety. But the changes are not something that police are sharing publicly.
"One of the key learning points for us involved internal communications and some other security-related matters," Perry said.
"Hi, I'm at Strozier Library and there is someone here with a gun," a 911 caller on the night of the shooting told the dispatcher.
Officers arrived 1 minute and 40 seconds after the first call. The shooter was dead within 20 seconds.
"Could you respond that quickly again if it were to happen next week?" reporter Mike Vasilinda asked.
"We'd do our best, and that's what we stress to our staff," Perry said.
Videos on the FSU PD website emphasize "run, hide, fight." But police acknowledge that getting college students attention can be difficult.
"We currently have an initiative underway to work with our provost to perhaps include a statement about safety in every course syllabus," Perry said.