New Mexico State University (NMSU), in collaboration with state and local law enforcement agencies, conducted a critical incident response training involving an active-shooter scenario on Thursday.
The exercise included participation from the NMSU police and fire departments, New Mexico State Police, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department, Mesilla Marshal’s Department, Las Cruces Fire Department, and the Las Cruces Police Department’s SWAT team.
The scenario commenced with multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside NMSU’s Branson Library. During the drill, four individuals were reportedly shot, and officers discovered a suspicious box in a library stairway.
NMSU police coordinated with NMSU Library staff for a multiphase approach to the training. This included an initial presentation on active-shooting protocols followed by a full-scale exercise involving library staff volunteers.
NMSU interim Police Chief Justin Dunivan highlighted that the exercise allowed for regional law enforcement coordination and drew lessons from past incidents such as the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the 2023 shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “When we look at these types of drills or exercises, we want to seek improvement,” Dunivan stated. “It was a collaborative effort that gave us a great opportunity to work together to standardize our training and protocols to ensure that should this occur in the near future, we’re better prepared.”
Kevin J. Comerford, dean of the NMSU Library, expressed gratitude towards the police department: “The NMSU Library would like to extend our thanks to the NMSU Police Department for their invaluable support and expertise during our recent active killer training exercise,” Comerford said. “Their dedication and professionalism are instrumental in ensuring the safety and well-being of our library staff and patrons. At the NMSU Library, the safety of our community is our top priority, and this training is a crucial step in maintaining a secure and welcoming environment for everyone.”
For more information about NMSU’s administrative regulations regarding emergency preparedness and response, visit https://arp.nmsu.edu/16-10/.