NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University students are questioning why they did not receive an emergency text message alert when safety officials received word of two armed men on the campus Jan. 21.
Around 11 p.m., a female student reported seeing two gunmen in the parking garage behind Thrailkill Hall dormitory. The building was immediately locked down and nearby students were told to stay inside as police officers searched for the suspects room to room.
Other students, however, were not informed of what was happening. Instead, they learned about the incident after calling friends.
Police did not find any gunmen, though students wondered why the emergency text message system was not used. The following morning, a message about the incident was posted on the university’s Intranet.
Outraged students created a group on the social networking site Facebook titled “Gunmen on Campus – Hold Belmont Accountable!” By 8 p.m. on Jan. 23, the group had 125 members.
Some students said sending out a mass text message alert would have caused a huge panic throughout the school, and essentially, it would have caused more harm than good.
Others disagreed. Jordan Pelfrey, a freshman who lives in Thrailkill, said students should be informed of the possibility that people have guns on campus. He also questioned the security complex, adding that the metal gates designed to limit access to the residence halls are constantly open.