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FSU students sought shelter after an active shooter alert, moving away from windows and doors.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A student at Florida State University recalled the moment she learned an active shooter had been reported on campus.
The student, Kayla Grogan, said she was in English class when someone in the classroom raised their hand with the school’s urgent alert message sent out to students.
“We were just doing a peer review and someone just raised their hand and said they got a text from FSU saying there’s an active shooter, so we kinda just did what we do in high school, where we all go to the back away from windows and doors,” Grogan said.
The initial “Dangerous Situation” alert sent to students stated:
“An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union. Police are on scene or on the way. Continue to seek shelter and await further instructions. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures.”
Grogan said her English class is a two to three-minute walk from the Student Union, where the shooting reportedly started.
She said she didn’t hear gunshots, but heard sirens. She said officers eventually moved the students outside and to another building.
When they got evacuated for the first time, she said people started running because they were “spooked.”
When speaking to First Coast News, Grogan said officers were working to move them all to the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, the school’s basketball arena, next.
Grogan said she reached out to her friends and family and everyone she knows at the school.
“At least, of my friends, they’re safe,” she said.
Grogan said her sister started sending her videos to make her laugh.
“It’s pretty quiet,” Grogan said of the campus. “But, people are on their phones, so it’s not dead silent.”