Lubbock Police Lead Full-Scale Active Shooter Drill to Boost School Safety

As the year 2025 progresses, seven school shootings have already been documented, with a recent event in Dallas resulting in injuries to four students. In response, communities nationwide are increasing their readiness for potential crises. In Lubbock, a comprehensive active shooter training exercise was conducted at Atkins Middle School.

The City of Lubbock, in collaboration with the Lubbock Independent School District, hosted a significant exercise that united the Lubbock Police Department, LPD SWAT team, emergency medical services, and various first responders for an extensive simulation.

Police Chief Seth Herman stated that the objective is to pinpoint both the strengths and weaknesses in the city's response capabilities.

Herman emphasized the insights gained from training events, highlighting the deficiencies not only in technology but also in essential tools such as breaching equipment and markers for securing or identifying locations. “While it may seem minor, its significance is immense when every second matters.”

The training included realistic scenarios that incorporated a secondary simulated threat, aiming to evaluate coordination, communication, and adaptability in high-pressure situations.

Herman emphasized the critical role of ongoing drills, stating, “Only through good quality training do you have a rapid, integrated, and efficient response.”

In Lubbock, full-scale simulations of this nature are uncommon; however, Herman has suggested that the public should anticipate an increase in their frequency moving forward. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy designed to enhance emergency preparedness in educational institutions.

“While such events are infrequent, the consequences of lacking preparedness are exceedingly severe,” he stated.

As communities across the nation confront the growing issue of school violence, Lubbock's strategy underscores an emerging understanding that proactive measures can be lifesaving.