Albany State University (ASU) students are voicing safety concerns following a deadly shooting that marred Homecoming festivities last week. In a recorded statement, Interim President Dr. Lawrence Drake, II, reassured students that there was no active threat on campus. However, many students remain worried about campus safety and question the effectiveness of current security measures.
The shooting resulted in injuries to five females, ages 13, 16, 17, and 20, along with another 19-year-old who was injured while fleeing the scene. De’Marion Tashawn Daniels, a 19-year-old who was not an ASU student, was killed in the incident.
Amid the tragedy, students have criticized the lack of noticeable security changes since the shooting. Existing Homecoming security protocols included gate closures after 10 p.m., school ID requirements, and clear bag rules, yet students feel more comprehensive measures are needed.
Isaiah Jones, an ASU student who experienced the shooting firsthand, described the ordeal: “I was coming up this hill behind you when I heard the shots rang out, and I immediately sheltered into my dormitory.” Many students echoed his sentiment, expressing the need for improved safety protocols, especially since ASU is an open campus that allows unrestricted access.
ASU’s response is part of a broader conversation about preventing gun violence and mass shootings. The aftermath of similar events, such as the tragic Apalachee High School shooting in Winder earlier this year, underscores the urgency of finding effective solutions. A 2017 study defined “mass public shootings” as incidents in which four or more people are killed by firearms in public locations without other criminal activities involved. The data also revealed that mass killings, including shootings, are rare, accounting for only 0.2% of homicides annually.
Gun control measures are often debated following such incidents, but research indicates that many proposed solutions may have limited impact. Over 90% of mass shootings reportedly occur in gun-free zones, and a ban on assault weapons would only affect a small percentage of these events, as most are carried out with handguns. Additionally, mental health issues are a significant factor, with 60% of mass public shooters having documented histories of mental illness.
Dr. Drake and ASU officials have promised to continue to engage with students and law enforcement to ensure that safety remains a top priority and a suspect has yet to be identified. They urge the community to collaborate on finding long-term solutions that address both campus security and the broader issue of gun violence.
Anyone with information about the Homecoming incident is encouraged to contact ASU Police at (229) 430-4711.