Shooting Near High School Stadium Raises Security Concerns

Shooting Near High School Stadium Raises Security Concerns

A 53-year-old man was stabbed and shot in the parking lot during a recent football practice at Parkview High School’s JFK Stadium in Springfield, Mo.

  • June 26, 2017

Last Thursday evening, the Parkview Vikings hosted athletes from 6 other high schools for 7-on-7 scrimmages. During the event, a 53-year-old man was stabbed at shot in the parking lot. A Springfield Public Schools police officer, who was at the stadium at the time, responded to the incident. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening, but Springfield P.D. and school officials are reviewing the crime.

“We will review the incident to determine what happened and whether any changes would improve safety and security of the students, staff, parents and other community members who use our facilities. At this early date, that review has not been completed,” said Teresa Bledsoe, Springfield Public Schools director of communications.

When the players and coaches heard the gunshots, the coaches instructed everyone to evacuate the stadium, seeking shelter in nearby woods. West Plaints coach Steve Ary said that teachers have been trained to direct students to flee the area during an active shooter event.

After the incident, Springfield Public Schools will be looking into ways to increase security at sporting events. Currently, SPS does not have a contract with the Springfield Police Department for security services during such events, and that may be changing soon. Campus security needs to be present during all activities where students and staff are present because, honestly, this could happen anywhere.

Featured

  • Shooter Still at Large In Brown University Shooting that Killed Two, Injured Nine

    Three days after a mass shooting at Brown University that killed two and injured nine, police are still searching for a suspect. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

Most   Popular