By: Leyah Jackson
A 16-year-old walked into a Bend, Oregon elementary school, killing three students and injuring others on October 15.
The shooting was the 28th mass killing in the U.S. this year, according to a tracker created by The Associated Press and USA Today in a partnership with Northeastern University.
Mass shootings are prevalent across the country, and schools are seen as targets. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 408 mass shootings in 2025 and 503 in 2024.
Hampton University itself has experienced shooting threats in the past.
Last fall, Hampton University was one of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities to receive a shooting threat, causing the campus to shut down as the school and FBI investigated.
The shooter in the Bend, Oregon case was shot by a bystander shortly after the police arrived.
“The number one thing is preservation of life. So if there is an active shooting situation or shooting no longer active, preserving life is paramount,” said Hampton University Police Chief Al Chandler
The Hampton University Police Department has several safety measures in place to protect students in the event of a shooting emergency.
The University maintains open communications with Hampton police, Virginia state police, and the FBI Norfolk Field Office so every law enforcement agency is prepared with updated, accurate information.
“New way of modern policing: collaboration,” Chief Chandler continued.
Information-sharing outlets such as the fusion center keep updated information resources for all enforcement agencies to work off of.
Chief Chandler also highlighted the importance of technology such as the ShotSpotter, noting that it can “tell the difference between a car backfiring and a gunshot.”
The technology notifies law enforcement of gunshots in the event people do not call.
“As a young woman, I do feel safe on campus. I feel that we have support from both the police and surrounding community that make this possible,” said second-year Psychology major Jadea Pittman.
Students can expect email notifications from the Pirate Notification System in the event of an emergency for quick updates.
