Mistaken Active Shooter Alert Causes Panic at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
ATLANTA — On Tuesday, a false alarm sent shockwaves through the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) community when an active shooter alert was mistakenly issued to students and staff. The unexpected message caused immediate panic across campus, before being retracted minutes later by school officials.
According to officials and reports from students, the erroneous alert was sent out without warning, triggering fear and confusion among the SCAD community. Several students who spoke with 11Alive described the situation as alarming and said it took approximately five minutes before the institution clarified that there was, in fact, no threat on campus.
A copy of the initial alert, which was obtained by 11Alive, was marked urgent and gave the impression that an active shooter situation was unfolding on campus — a deeply sensitive and high-stakes scenario that prompted some students and faculty to shelter in place or seek cover.
The alert read in part:
“SCAD Alert: Active Shooter on Campus. Take immediate shelter. Lock and secure doors. Await further instruction.”
Following the initial panic, SCAD quickly issued a follow-up message to the community, clarifying the situation and confirming that the alert had been sent in error. The message read:
“SCAD Alert: UPDATE There is no Active Shooter on any SCAD Campus. The alert was inadvertently sent out. All locations are clear.”
Despite the prompt correction, students and parents expressed frustration over the incident and questioned how such a critical error could occur. While no one was harmed, the false alarm reignited ongoing concerns nationwide about campus safety, alert protocols, and communication systems in the age of frequent mass shooting events.
Student Reactions and Campus Response
Some students told 11Alive that in the moments after the initial alert, the atmosphere on campus was chaotic. One student described locking themselves in a classroom and texting loved ones, unsure if the threat was real or not.
“It was terrifying,” said one SCAD student. “You see a message like that and your heart just drops. It felt like the longest five minutes of my life before we found out it was a mistake.”
SCAD officials have not yet released details about how the error occurred, whether it was a system malfunction or human error, but have acknowledged the seriousness of the incident. In a brief statement provided to 11Alive, a SCAD spokesperson confirmed the false alert and apologized for the confusion it caused.
“The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority,” the statement read. “We are reviewing the incident to ensure this does not happen again.”
False Alarms in the Age of School Shootings
Incidents like the one at SCAD are not isolated. Across the country, several colleges and high schools have reported similar false alarms in recent years, often due to misconfigured systems or user error. While these alerts are meant to protect communities, accidental messages can have serious emotional and psychological impacts, especially for students already concerned about their safety.
Security experts say that while it’s critical for schools to have robust alert systems in place, clear protocols and regular testing are essential to ensure that these systems are only activated when appropriate.
What Happens Next
SCAD has not yet indicated whether disciplinary action will be taken or whether changes will be made to its emergency alert system. In the meantime, the institution is urging students to direct any questions or concerns to the campus safety office and is offering support services to those who were emotionally affected by the false alert.
For now, students and faculty are returning to their routines, but the mistaken alert serves as a stark reminder of the very real fears that surround school safety in today’s environment — and the need for vigilance in how emergency communication is handled.