How Texas prepares for active shooter situations

Hay’s County Sheriff’s Office recently wrapped up a series of active shooter trainings. They say due to the shooting events that happened recently in Texas and throughout the country, people need to be better prepared. Now, the country is dealing with another deadly high school shooting in Florida. 

Mass shootings like what happened in Florida are the reasons for the ALERRT center at Texas State University. ALERRT stands for advanced law enforcement rapid response training. It started in 2002 in partnership with the San Marcos Police Department and Hays County.

The program is used across the country, teaching people how to respond to an active shooter crisis. 

The Texas education code requires every school district in the state to conduct a safety and security audit every three years. Every single school must also have an emergency evacuation plan.

The Florida shooter had a troubled past with some warning signs. Ed Scruggs with Texas Gun Sense says people need to speak out when they see something.  

"This is a nightmare and I sometimes feel that this nation is in a continuous nightmare and we're choosing not to awaken from it,” he says. “This is happening because we're choosing to let it happen. We're not holding our elected officials accountable. We're not holding our friends, and neighbors and family accountable. Gun violence is a serious, serious problem and it's killing our children and it's killing adults. And we cannot stand for it anymore. I think we just need to keep speaking out."

The outpouring of love and support coming in from social media has been overpowering since Wednesday’s shooting.

Austin interim police chief Brian Manely posted Wednesday night saying, "My thoughts and prayers for all those involved in this tragic shooting. As a father myself, I am absolutely heartbroken."

Austin ISD's police department shared this message on twitter, "Our thoughts are with those impacted by this latest tragic incident in Florida. AISD PD is committed to sustaining a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff...."

Cruz has been charged with 17 counts of pre-meditated murder and is due in court later on Thursday.