Skip to main content
Tuesday, November 3, 2026Nov 3
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is free to read.

Massachusetts school demos ‘active shooter’ system

Officers from the Methuen, Mass., police department carry training weapons as they search the halls of a school during a demonstration in Methuen, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014. School and police officials have unveiled a new system to detect and track a gunman that they say is the first in operation in a public school. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Officers from the Methuen, Mass., police department carry training weapons as they search the halls of a school during a demonstration in Methuen, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014. School and police officials have unveiled a new system to detect and track a gunman that they say is the first in operation in a public school. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Officers from the Methuen, Mass., police department carry training weapons as they search the halls of a school during a demonstration in Methuen, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014. School and police officials have unveiled a new system to detect and track a gunman that they say is the first in operation in a public school. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

By Associated Press 1 min read

METHUEN, Mass. (AP) – Massachusetts school and police officials have unveiled a new system that can detect and track a gunman if the threat ever strikes.

Methuen grammar school was the site of the Tuesday demonstration that simulated a gunman entering the building and opening fire.

System sensors automatically triggered alerts that reached police officers and school officials within seconds of dummy rounds being fired. The system then tracked the pretend-gunman as he moved through the building, sending alerts whenever he fired his weapon.

Shooter Detection Systems says it also will install the technology in schools in Virginia and California.

And another company, SST, is working with Savannah College Art and Design in Georgia to be the first college in the country to roll out such technology.