OHP, Midwest City Police Credit Training For Fast Response At Rose State College Shooting

Midwest City Police said they were grateful no one else was hurt in Monday’s shooting at Rose State College. Law enforcement routinely preps for active shooters. This afternoon their training was tested in real life.

Just after 12 p.m. on Monday at Rose State College, the clock started.

“Seconds matter,” said Trooper Eric Foster, with Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Foster credited their training.

“You don’t wanna have to think,” Foster said.

On days like this, everyone knows their job.

“That response is something that should give confidence,” Foster said. “To the public. To faculty and staff; to students, to parents.”

Foster said Monday’s quick response can help people trust in a process that preps everyone, not just law enforcement.

“That’s really where it matters,” Foster said.

Rose State College hosted an active shooter training in March.

“It’s better for us to be prepared than not,” Foster said.

That training helped students and staff come up with a plan to keep everyone safe inside.

“That buys them time,” Foster said.

Midwest City Police Chief Sid Porter said he believes students and staff executed their training during a real-life threat.

“I just think they did a fantastic job of listening to the school and staying down and not panicking,” Porter said.

One person lost their life.

“It could have been much worse,” Foster said.

Officers stopped the shooter before it was too late for someone else.

“Thank the Lord that … it stopped right there and no one else was hurt,” Porter said.

Last year Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order to increase safety in schools. Foster said that allows agencies to train the same so they can respond to these events faster.