Drones aim to protect students during school shootings

In a dedicated effort to enhance school safety, a Texas-based company, Campus Guardian Angel, has developed a drone technology intended to intervene quickly during active shooter situations. The technology was recently demonstrated at AcadeMir Preparatory High School in South Miami-Dade, Florida. The founder and CEO, Justin Marston, emphasized that a significant portion of fatalities typically occurs within the first two minutes of a shooting incident, highlighting the need for rapid response to mitigate potential casualties. The system involves deploying drones that can be activated via a silent alarm. Upon activation, the drones are launched from a storage box located on-campus, allowing an immediate response. During the demonstration, Marston stated that, ideally, pilots from a central operations center could operate the drones, aiming to intercept a shooter within 15 seconds and potentially neutralize the threat within 60 seconds. The drones are equipped to fire powder pellets, a non-lethal option that could incapacitate a suspect. This initiative has garnered interest in Florida, particularly after Governor Ron DeSantis allocated $557,000 in the state's 2025–2026 budget to fund pilot programs across three school districts. While the Florida Department of Education will ultimately select which districts will participate, Miami-Dade County Public Schools has expressed interest in integrating this technology into their safety protocols. Marston highlighted that the estimated monthly cost for schools with around 500 students is approximately $1,000, making it a potentially viable option for enhancing security in educational institutions. The increasing frequency of active shooter drills has transformed how schools approach safety, shifting from traditional emergency responses such as fire drills to modern security measures that address real threats. This approach has raised concerns among students and parents, prompting figures like AcadeMir Preparatory Principal John Lux to advocate for enhanced safety measures. Lux believes that incorporating drone technology into the school’s safety protocol represents a positive advance in ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff while minimizing the traumatic impact of school shootings.