Bradley Senate, Student Support Services and BUPD Address Mass Shootings with Newtown Documentary

Cal Weisman, Melissa Wyas, Natalie Landin

On Wednesday evening, dozens of students from Bradley University filled Marty Theater to watch the Newtown documentary. Student Senate, Student Support Services and the Bradley University Police Department hosted the event in an effort to raise awareness about the potential of an active shooter situation on Bradley’s campus.

Wednesday night students fill Marty Theater to Watch Newtown documentary

The documentary showed the aftermath of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT that killed six faculty members and 20 students, all of whom were in first grade. In the film, parents of victims, first responders and community members share their accounts of the shooting and how their lives continue to be impacted.

Following the documentary, BUPD had a short presentation about the procedures that would be implemented in an active shooter situation on Bradley’s campus, as well as the resources available to students in the aftermath.

Officer Savage instructs students in the case of an active shooter to “Run, Hide or Fight”

With an increase in mass shootings across the country, the possibility for an active shooter coming onto campus has been at the forefront of discussion between student, faculty and law enforcement. Brandon Sheridan, Student Senate’s Vice President of Campus Safety, thinks a precautionary event like this could provide students information and skills they might need if a true emergency were to ever occur.

Pictured from Left to Right: Chief Joschko, Officer Savage, and Vice President of Campus Safety Brandon Sheridan

“By going to this, you’ll gain a better understanding of Newtown and the Sandy Hook shooting, but you’ll also gain knowledge on what to do in this situation,” Sheridan said. “Whether that’s at a concert, just recently in Las Vegas, or more specifically here on Bradley’s campus, you’ll know the procedures specifically designed for Bradley’s students, faculty and staff.”

Many students, including junior Eduardo Tapia, believe there is a disconnect from seeing these tragedies occur other places and believing it could ever happen on Bradley’s campus.

“What I found most striking was Officer Savage talking about survival tips at the end,” Tapia said. “It’s kind of clear that none of us expect this to happen, but the threat is still very, very real.”

Officer Sean Savage of the Bradley Police Department considers this event critical in preparing students in a true emergency. According to Savage, while the subject may be uncomfortable to think about, it’s a necessary thing to do to prepare for survival.

Officer Savage at the Newtown screening

“The best way to do be ready is by planning ahead and being prepared for these situations,” Savage said. “There’s no real good way to do it except for thinking about it, talking about it and discussing it with other people. We need to start the conversation now so that we’re prepared when it happens.”

McKenzie Ruyle, a junior and resident advisor at Bradley, believes she and other students have been well-equipped to handle an active shooter situation, if faced with one.

“I do think a lot of us would stand a chance,” Ruyle said. “Especially as RAs, we’ve been equipped with all that knowledge and know exactly what to do.”

Sheridan and members of BUPD hope this screening will serve as a wakeup call for students and start a conversation about campus safety, especially during an active shooter.

“A lot of people think ‘oh that could never happen to me. That’s just something I see on the news,’” Sheridan said. “It could be life saving. You never know where it could happen or who it could happen to.”