News

Actions

Teachers say they were shot with pellets ‘execution style’ during active shooter drill

Posted at 3:09 AM, Mar 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-22 03:09:43-04

INDIANAPOLIS – During active shooter training, some Indiana teachers were “shot execution style” with “projectiles” that caused welts and bleeding, according to the Indiana State Teachers Association.

“They told us, ‘This is what happens if you just cower and do nothing,’” one teacher, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of his job, told the Indianapolis Star. “They shot all of us across our backs. I was hit four times … It hurt so bad.”

The ISTA addressed their concerns about these drills in a series of tweets on Wednesday as members of the association testified in front of the Senate Education Committee.

“The teachers were terrified, but we’re told not to tell anyone what happened. Teachers waiting outside that heard the screaming were brought into the room four at a time, and the shooting process was repeated,” the ISTA said.

Members are requesting an amendment to House Bill 1004. The bill focuses on school safety and would provide school-based mental health services or social emotional wellness services to students. It also requires every school to conduct at least one active shooter drill each year.

The ISTA says they support the bill as “a positive step in addressing root causes of these school-based tragedies.” But they want an amendment added to it that would place reasonable limits on these drills.

“No one in education takes these drills lightly. The risk of harming someone far outweighs whatever added realism one is trying to convey here,” the ISTA said.