Beyond the bullet: Virginia Tech rewrites the crisis response playbook
Nearly two decades after the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, Virginia Tech has transformed from a symbol of tragedy into a national model for crisis response.
Michaela Scott
May 10, 2025
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Enduring Memory: Students walk past the "We Remember" memorial outside Burruss Hall. This is one of VT's most visible reminders of a tragedy that continues to shape its safety culture. Photo: Michaela Scott
The mass shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, remains the deadliest in U.S. history. It was an incident that shattered lives and initially defined the university by tragedy. However, the event quickly reshaped Hokies as leaders in threat prevention and transformed how universities across the nation will approach campus safety.
Former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia Chuck Slemp explained that Virginia Tech was a catalyst in developing Virginia Code 23.1-805, which requires public colleges and universities to establish a Violence Prevention Committee and a Threat Assessment Team (TAT).
“Even if an individual says, ‘I don’t want to report this threat or crime to police or prosecutors,’ if the threat assessment team believes that there is an imminent threat to safety, a prosecutor must be consulted,” Slemp said. “That happened all the time when I was the attorney.”
The TAT at Virginia Tech coordinates across institutional boundaries, drawing on law enforcement, legal counsel, academic officials and student affairs. Their mission is to identify concerning behavior early, assess risk and intervene before it escalates to violence. Despite policies embedded in Virginia law, the system isn’t entirely infallible. Slemp highlighted that oftentimes, there’s a reluctance to report crime.
“This may be because you don’t want your school to be seen as a dangerous university,” Slemp said. “You might say, I’m not going to report that particular incident because it’s frivolous and it adds to my numbers. I get that, but I think universities must prioritize and take every single threat seriously, no matter the consequence to your professional reputation. They need to address it and never sweep it under the rug.”
Hud McClanahan, legal counsel for Virginia Tech, echoed the importance of staying proactive, especially in the wake of the Florida State University shooting on April 17, which marked the 18th shooting on a college campus in 2025, according to Everytown Research database.
“We’ve worked closely with FSU and shared our internal threat review processes and even looked at their feedback to identify areas where we could improve our own response models,” McClanahan said.
According to Mass Shooting Tracker, 124 mass shootings have occurred in 2025 alone. As new threats evolve, the lessons from 2007 are no longer just memories, but institutional safeguards. Through a legal framework and cross-campus collaboration, Virginia Tech continues to build a future focused on safety, accountability and vigilance.
Chuck Slemp, former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia. Photo credit: Cozen O'Connor Webpage.
Hudson McClanahan, lawyer on VT's University Legal Counsel. Photo credit: ContactOut Webpage (only portrait found online).
Mark Owczarski, Interim Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Chief University Spokesperson. Photo credit: Virginia Tech News Webpage.
William "Mac" Babb III, Chief of Police and Director of Security. Photo credit: VTPD Directory Webpage.
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Never Forgotten: The "We Remember" plaque honors the 32 lives lost and is a permanent reminder of the tragedy that reshaped VT's identity and commitment to safety. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — In Safe Hands: A student accesses VT's Threat Assessment Team resources on their phone, representing that safety and support are always within reach. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Active Watch: A VTPD vehicle patrols campus, reflecting the department's visible commitment to safety and community presence. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Open Record: A binder in the VTPD lobby catalogs monthly crime reports, underscoring the department's transparency and dedication to public awareness. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Public Access: A magazine rack at the entrance of the VTPD offers safety resources, crime logs and Clery Act reports, reinforcing the department's community-centered mission. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Always Blue: One of the many VT Blue Light Emergency Response Systems stands ready on Beamer Way and is a visible reminder of the university's commitment to rapid response. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — A Field of Remembrance: Lane Stadium is part of the Run for Remembrance route and is currently undergoing reconstruction following the Metallica concert. It remains a symbol of resilience and community during the university's annual tribute to the lives lost. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Tradition in Motion: At the Lane Stadium tunnel, participants in the Run for Remembrance touch the Hokie Stone as they run through the stadium, mirroring a game-day ritual and symbolizing unity, resilience and Hokie spirit. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — A Lasting Tribute: Hokie Stones stand proudly at the April 16 Memorial, each accompanied by a rose, which symbolizes both remembrance and the enduring spirit of those we honor. As roses fade, their memory continues to bloom in the hearts of the Hokie community. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Honoring Jarrett Lane: A close-up of the Hokie Stone at the April 16 Memorial marks the life and legacy of Jarrett Lee Lane, one of the 32 lives lost on April 16, 2007. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Life on Campus: A lively group of students cross the Drillfield near Burruss Hall, embodying the spirit of resilience and unity that defines VT's journey of healing and remembrance. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Strength in Normalcy: Students relax and study on the Drillfield, which shows how VT has transformed from tragedy to a place of safety and everyday life. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Unshaken Focus: As students fill Torgersen Bridge to prepare for finals, their sense of safety is shaped by years of progress in crisis response. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Empowered Awareness: In Squires Student Center, a bulletin board displays vital information on crime reporting and emergency preparedness, which underscores VT's commitment to turning awareness into action. Photo: Michaela Scott
Blacksburg, Virginia, May 10, 2025 — Still Remembering: As finals approach, a student pauses to read the Collegiate Times remembrance issue. This is evidence that even amid academic bustle, Hokies carry forward the legacy of April 16 with reflection. Photo: Michaela Scott
Multimedia Reporting (JMC 3154) at Virginia Tech prepares students to meet the demands of modern journalism by developing professional reporting strategies and digital storytelling skills. The course offers hands-on experience in news writing, audio and video production, and data visualization, using industry-standard tools to create compelling multimedia content. Students build a digital portfolio in Adobe Portfolio, showcasing traditional news articles, podcast-style audio stories, and interactive visuals. Tools like Adobe Audition are used to edit audio reports and interviews, while Adobe Illustrator helps transform raw data into clear, engaging infographics. Throughout the course, students are challenged to think critically about how different formats influence public understanding, with a strong emphasis on ethical reporting and audience engagement. Each project builds toward a cohesive, professional portfolio that reflects a deep understanding of multimedia journalism and digital communication.
