What have ULM and Tech done to improve security in the wake of Grambling shootings?

Ian Robinson, Monroe News-Star
·2 min read

Two shootings on the Grambling State University campus during Homecoming Week left two people dead and eight injured. As a result, Grambling has beefed up security on campus, but for the other local universities it's business as usual.

The first shooting occurred in the early morning hours on Oct. 13 at an unsanctioned student event near the university's Favrot Student Union building on campus. A second shooting on campus Oct. 17 left one person dead and seven with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Following the second shooting, GSU President Rick Gallot announced plans to further limit extra curricular activities and non-student access to the university's campus.

The Louisiana State Police is currently assisting the Grambling State University Police Department in the investigations of the two shootings and are providing resources, including additional personnel.

University of Louisiana at Monroe campus Police Chief Tom Torregrossa referred to the shootings on GSU's campus as a "sad day for higher education," but said the university has not changed safety measures since the Grambling shooting.

Torregrossa did say that the school provides training to prepare faculty, staff and students to respond to specific life-threatening situations.

"We hold them periodically through the semesters," Torregrossa said. "What to do in the event of an incident that occurs no matter what that incident is. It could be weather-related, it could be a chemical train turning over, chemical leaks. There's a lot more things that you have to train for.

"I think everybody is putting a lot of emphasis on the shooting because it was near and dear to our heart."

Student leaders and alumni response: 'We need action': Grambling students, alumni react to campus shootings in Homecoming week

Louisiana Tech University campus Police Chief Randal Hermes said any violent crime committed on a school campus is a terrible situation.

"But it happens," Hermes said.

Hermes said security measures have not changed since the shootings at their neighboring university.

"Our guys pay attention to what's going on," Hermes said. "We expect our university community to advise us if they see anything suspicious going on or any kind of criminal activity to let us know about it. We have a really good relationship with our university community. They help out on our public safety efforts."

Long-Jones Hall on the campus of Grambling State University, where two shootings marred the school's homecoming celebrations.
Long-Jones Hall on the campus of Grambling State University, where two shootings marred the school's homecoming celebrations.

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Hermes said on-campus shootings have never been an issue for Louisiana Tech University.

"I'm not familiar with us having a shooting on our campus. I've been here 14 years," Hermes said. "But anything could happen, we don't have walls around this campus. Anybody could come through our property any day or night."

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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Grambling State shootings: ULM, Louisiana Tech security improvements