FSU Shooting Sparks Fears: Will 2025 See More Campus Violence?

After Thursday's deadly shooting at Florida State University many are wondering if 2025 be another deadly year in schools around the nation. Police say a 20-year-old man is in custody after the shooting that took the lives of two people and injured six others. The shooter identified as the son of a Deputy in the Tallahassee Sheriff's Department. The suspect was shot by police before being arrested. US authorities say more than 340 school shootings were reported in the United States in 2024.

MANY LARGER SCHOOLS HAVE THEIR OWN SECURITY FORCES

Many colleges and universities have their own police agencies or security forces which is the case with both Yakima Valley College and Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
In high schools in the state it's a different story. Violence is always a concern in Yakima as police work with school districts to increase security to try and prevent a tragic shooting.

THE LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE VALLEY HAS A PRO-FORCE PROTECTING KIDS

In Washington state resource/police officers are stationed at schools around the state.
Officials in the largest district in the valley, the Yakima School District officials say "the Yakima School District has established a dedicated safety division staffed by 8 School Safety Officers."

MORE THAN JUST SECURITY OFFICERS

School officials say the Officers are not contracted security personnel but are seasoned professionals with extensive backgrounds in law enforcement. They say they are deeply rooted in our community. "Collectively, they bring over 194 years of law enforcement experience, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff."
88 of Washington state's 321 school districts have a police officer or deputy on site to protect students.