University of North Carolina’s Handling of Active Shooter Incident Faces Student Criticism

Amidst the wail of sirens and emergency alerts on mobile devices, Micah Baldonado was overtaken by emotion at his desk as his professor continued the lecture at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“Though there’s no prescribed reaction in such situations, I was emotionally overwhelmed,” Baldonado stated. “Interestingly, my instructor proceeded with the lecture for approximately half an hour despite receiving active shooter alerts.”

Baldonado, a senior from Charlotte, recounted how rumors surged across the campus during a three-hour lockdown and subsequent police manhunt on August 28, culminating in the apprehension of a graduate student from UNC.

The accused, Tailei Qi, 34, is currently in custody without bail, facing charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on educational premises. The victim was associate professor Zijie Yan, who was fatally shot inside a science building.

During the lockdown, Baldonado dedicated hours to monitoring police radio and scrutinizing news articles, citing a lack of real-time information. He is among numerous students challenging the institution’s level of preparedness, communication efficiency, and staff response during the crisis.

To express his concerns, Baldonado initiated a petition that has garnered substantial support, advocating for significant improvements to the university’s active shooter response protocols—a system that university authorities contend was effective.

In defense of the protocol, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz noted, “The situation unfolded as optimally as we could have hoped.” He also mentioned that QR codes for emergency procedures are displayed in lecture halls, and staff, as well as resident advisers, undergo regular drills.

Despite such assurances, students have expressed that their instructors seemed ill-prepared, and the lack of comprehensive information led to increased panic.

Brian James, the UNC Police Chief, confirmed that an electronic alert and siren were activated two minutes post the initial 911 call, made at 1:02 p.m. regarding gunshots at Caudill Labs. Qi was apprehended at 2:31 p.m., according to James. However, a campus alert sent out at 3:43 p.m. indicated that the suspect was still at large, as authorities were confirming they had the correct individual in custody.

During the lockdown, a reporter from Big Big News observed the disoriented evacuation of hundreds of students, who received ambiguous directions and were left in a state of distress, making frantic calls to their families.

Baldonado also shared that, due to uncertainties regarding the real identity of officers, he and his classmates asked for a badge to be slid under the door for verification before being evacuated prior to the all-clear message.

The official “all clear” message was delivered at 4:14 p.m., but the university only publicly verified having a suspect in custody at 5:20 p.m. in a press release.

Liana Evelyn, a freshman majoring in contemporary European studies, criticized the university’s directive to “resume normal activities” post such a traumatizing event.

Evelyn mentioned that, due to overcrowding, she spent the first hour of the lockdown in a hallway with windows, a position she later abandoned for a safer spot. Some of the doors were not even lockable, she noted.

The petition spearheaded by Baldonado calls for mandatory classroom locks, enhanced faculty training, and a more detailed alert system. It argues that rapid but ambiguous alerts contribute to the spread of misinformation and underscores the necessity for accurate, real-time data during crises.

Rick Amweg, a consultant with Ohio-based Security Risk Management Consultants, praised UNC police for their communication methods and timing, adding that withholding unconfirmed information in a rapidly evolving situation could indeed be prudent.

Amweg emphasized, “It’s crucial to remember that this was a rapidly unfolding event, making real-time verification a challenge.”

This report includes contributions from Gary D. Robertson, a Big Big News writer based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Active Shooter Response at University of North Carolina

More about Active Shooter Response at University of North Carolina

• University of North Carolina Official Statement on Active Shooter Incident
• [UNC