The Dallas Independent School District (ISD) is increasing security at its athletic event venues in response to the fatal January 11 shooting at a basketball game between South Oak Cliff High School and Justin F. Kimball High School.
The district will now use metal detectors to screen game attendees for weapons. During the January 11 incident, the walk-through metal detector at the Ellis Davis Field House was not used.
Additionally, the district has implemented a temporary ban on all bags, purses and backpacks. Previously, Dallas ISD allowed clear plastic bags into its athletic venues, reports the Dallas Morning News.
The security upgrades were prompted by the fatal shooting of Marc Strickland, 18, who was a former student attending the game. The shooting happened after a fight broke out.
The day after the incident, the 15-year-old suspect turned himself in and was arrested for aggravated assault. He now faces murder charges because Strickland has died, reports WFAA.
Two other juveniles involved in the shooting have been identified but not arrested.
Video surveillance images have been released of three other males who police say are persons of interest in the case.
Campus Safety has reported extensively on event security best practices. Some of those include:
- Have visible security to deter would-be attackers
- Keep security measures throughout the event
- Secure the perimeter and the outside
- Incorporate several layers of security
- Communicate with attendees in advance about what is and isn’t allowed at the game
- Locate the security command center offsite
- Adopt a unified approach.
To read more about athletic event security, click here.
