Weaponized drones are being tested inside US schools, flying through hallways with the ability to neutralize active shooters in seconds.
Equipped with non-lethal pepper spray, powder pellets, and live video feeds, the drones launch from secure charging stations, six per school, when gunfire is detected.
Developed by Campus Guardian Angel, the system has already completed trials in Texas and was recently demonstrated in three Florida schools.
Permanent installations are scheduled this fall, with full deployment expected by January.
The rollout has divided parents, some welcoming the extra layer of protection, while others call it a dystopian nightmare and ‘an accident waiting to happen.’
One Texas resident warned, ‘When will the first hack attack occur?’
The debate comes as tragedy struck in Minneapolis on Wednesday, when a shooter opened fire at a Catholic school, killing two children and injuring 17 others.
Robin Westman, a transgender woman, shot through stained glass windows at children sitting praying on the pews inside Annunciation Catholic School’s church at about 8:30am local time.
A Texas company is testing weaponized drones in schools to assist during shootings
The drones will enter danger zones ahead of first responders, minimizing injuries and casualties
Two children aged eight and 10 were killed and at least 14 other children and three 80-year-old parishioners were injured.
The shooter then turned the gun on themselves. Westman’s body was found inside the church.
While feelings about the new drones are mixed, the team behind the technology hopes it will save lives.
Bill King, a 32-year Navy Seal veteran and Campus Guardian Angel’s Chief Tactical Officer and co-founder, said: ‘The unique advantage of our service is that we are focused on confronting and incapacitating a shooter as quickly as possible to minimize the loss of life.
‘We look forward to working with law enforcement officials, school districts, parents, teachers, and students to implement this service that will keep schools safe and protect lives.’
The company’s goal is to respond in five seconds, find and confront the shooter within 15 seconds.
‘Then, if needed, degrade or incapacitate the shooter in 60 seconds,’ Campus Guardian Angel shared in a video.
In the event of a school shooting, teachers and first responders can activate the drones using an app, by using a silent panic button fixed on a desk or by calling 911.
The debate comes as tragedy struck in Minneapolis on Wednesday, when a shooter opened fire at a Catholic school, killing two children and injuring 17 others
Robin Westman, a transgender woman, shot through stained glass windows at children sitting praying on the pews inside Annunciation Catholic School’s church at about 8:30am local time
The system is operated by teams in Texas, who then pull up a virtual floor plan of the school and access all cameras throughout the facility.
Each school will house 30 to 90 drones capable of speeds up to 50 mph indoors.
The vehicles are also designed with glass breakers, allowing them to reach different rooms in an instant.
‘Our first step is to use sirens and a speaker to tell the shooter to surrender,’ said Campus Guardian Angel.
The system is operated by teams in Texas, who then pull up a virtual floor plan of the school and access all cameras throughout the facility. Each school will house 30 to 90 drones capable of speeds up to 50 mph indoors
The vehicles are also designed with glass breakers, allowing them to reach different rooms in an instant
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‘If they don’t surrender, we then use air poppers and a pepper gun to disorient and degrade the shooter. If the shoot still doesn’t surrender, we can do kinetic energy hits, which is similar to being hit with a beanbag round.’
The company held interviews with children from the Texas schools, who said the drones gave them a piece of mind.
Justin Marston, CEO and Founder of Campus Guardian Angel, said: ‘Campus Guardian Angel brings the expertise of elite special forces operators and highly trained law enforcement personnel to an immediate response in every school in Texas and across the nation.
‘Our innovative approach grants first responders the most valuable resource they need when responding to an emergency: time.’
DeSantis has already approved $557,000 in funding to set up the drone system in Florida schools.
Officials hope the system will enhance existing safety measures, such as armed deputies, surveillance cameras, and emergency drills, by providing law enforcement with real-time intelligence and crucial extra seconds to respond during emergencies.
The Florida pilot program will evaluate deployment strategies and guide potential nationwide adoption of the technology.