18 hours Ago By Tallahassee Democrat
Bob Braman always felt safe on campus during his nearly 25 years at Florida State. The former Seminoles track and field and cross country coach credited the university's police department and school's alert system for his comfort level. He believes the combined best practices helped save lives during Thursday's on-campus shooting that he called "tragic" and left two dead, six injured and put the Tallahassee campus under lockdown for hours.
The university's police department "has always been present and does a lot of different things to try to education and help the kids," said Braman, who retired in May 2024, after leading the program to an ACC-record 33 conference titles (men and women) and three NCAA men's outdoor national titles (2006, 2007 and 2008). "The university has a variety of things that are safety oriented. FSUPD's training was spot on; they saved lives.
I honestly believe FSU's campus is as safe as any campus in the country." More: FSU's Link Jarret thanks first responders, offers 'thoughts and prayers' after school shooting Thursday's shooter 'neutralized' in under five minutes Members of the university police, along with the Tallahassee police, quickly responded to Thursday's on-campus shooting at the Student Union. While the mass shooting was over in less than five minutes, the tragic event has left the university reeling and recovering.
FSU dining services coordinator Robert Morales and Aramark executive Tiru Chabba were killed in the shooting. Michael Alford, FSU's Vice President and Athletics Director, was in his car just outside of Tampa, driving back to Tallahassee on U.S.
19 when he received the emergency alert on his phone. Alford credited Cindy Hartmann, deputy athletics director for administration/SWA, and staff for quickly connecting with the program's coaches and more than 500 student-athletes across communication applications and platforms. "Every text that came back (showed) everyone was safe," said Alford, who experienced a campus lockdown due to an on-campus shooting that left two dead at Central Michigan in 2018, when he was that school's athletics director.
FSU "has done a marvelous job of educating people on what to do this this kind of unfortunate situation," he added. FSU students, community come together at Friday's vigil Classes were canceled on FSU's campus Friday and all athletic events were canceled through Sunday. Students and the community came together for a vigil outside Doak Campbell Stadium near the Unconquered statue Friday.
Later Friday evening, FSU football coach Mike Norvell and men’s basketball coach Luke Loucks posted emotional comments on their social media accounts. The pair expressed sympathy for the victims, celebrated the heroics of law enforcement and encouraged others to be the “light” in times of darkness. “I do not have the right words which fully grasp the depth of emotions which I feel," Norvell posted on his X account.
"The sadness which has covered our wonderful University by the events that took place Thursday is overwhelming. The hurt and anger is infuriating, while not knowing why something like this would ever occur." Loucks posted : “I am devastated by the senseless tragedy that happened on our campus yesterday.
One of our players was near the student union and luckily escaped unharmed. Innocent lives were lost in the blink of an eye. It makes me sick.
As torn up as we all are, we should be extremely proud of FSU Police Department, all of the first responders, and all of those that stepped up to save lives during and after this terrible act." Braman, whose programs accounted for close to 100 student-athletes, also expressed the outreach and support that FSU and the Tallahassee community has demonstrated over the past three days. He again pointed to the safety measures implemented by university police and law enforcement.
"We would always bring in (FSUPD) if we had a large recruiting group, especially a large female group, and officers would talk to the athletes and their parents," Braman said. "They are very good and very involved. They do as good a job, if not better, than anyone in the country.
And I think we saw that." This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former FSU coach 'always felt safe' on campus, credits law enforcement.
