{"id":235919,"date":"2026-04-17T17:59:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/235919\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T17:59:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:59:06","slug":"it-was-a-tough-day-fsu-police-chief-remembers-day-of-fatal-campus-shooting-one-year-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/235919\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018It was a tough day:\u2019 FSU Police Chief remembers day of fatal campus shooting one year later"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Florida State University Chief of Police reflected on the day a shooter killed two people and injured six others<\/a> on FSU\u2019s campus one year ago today.<\/p>\n

Jason Trumbower said his officers and the law enforcement partners who also responded followed their training to a T.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do remember thinking in the moment that we are prepared for this. I do think our training kicked in and I couldn\u2019t be more proud of the brave men and women of the FSU Police Department and how they responded that day,\u201d Trumbower said.<\/p>\n

In body cam footage<\/a>, obtained by WCTV earlier this month, Officer Cody Poppell is seen shooting the suspected FSU gunman last April.<\/p>\n

The FSUPD Chief said they saved lives that day but admits an active shooter is the last thing any officer wants.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a tough day. It was an emotional day. Anytime you get a call of an active assailant, it\u2019s every Chief of Police and any law enforcement officer\u2019s worst nightmare come true,\u201d the chief said. <\/p>\n

The chief said they\u2019ve installed active-assailant buttons and enhanced locking hardware in every classroom on campus.<\/p>\n

He knows parents may still worry when they send students to campus, but in his interview with WCTV, Trumbower remained confident his campus is safe. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a law enforcement professional, but I\u2019m also a parent of two teenagers. So I get that, and I get the emotions of that, and I would assure them that, you know, again, we\u2019re prepared, we train, and it\u2019s not if, it\u2019s when. Unfortunately, it\u2019s 2026. So our officers are prepared,\u201d the police chief said.<\/p>\n

He continued that the team and Florida State University \u201creally came together\u201d and supported one another, showing what makes the Tallahassee community different.<\/p>\n

The chief said that once FSU reopened, they have not looked back. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been business as usual, and again, that\u2019s how we wanted it. We want people to feel safe and secure, and it\u2019s been that way ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n

Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n

Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n