Tuskegee University has replaced its security chief and established a new policy requiring identification badges for entry and to be worn at all times on campus, the university announced after the early Sunday morning shooting that resulted in one death and injuries to 16 others.

Tuskegee President and CEO Dr. Mark A. Brown on Monday said the university was making the changes to protect students.

“Tuskegee University is no longer an open campus,” Brown said.

“Effective immediately, we require IDs for everyone to be displayed to enter campus and worn at all times while on campus, like the one that you see me wearing today.

“This morning, we hired a new campus security leader and relieved our previous security chief of his duties.

“Our new campus security chief and ultimately his team, will complete a full review, including all implementations of new security procedures.”

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Brown did not answer questions from the news media. He did not name the former security chief or the new one or say why the former chief was fired.

Brown said the university had no plans to change its homecoming celebration traditions. He said security measures were in place but did not account for what he said was an unapproved event on campus.

“This year, to us, was special,” Brown said. “It was our centennial, our 100th anniversary. The university planned for thousands of people to join us to celebrate our centennial homecoming.

“We hired over 70 additional law enforcement officers from throughout Alabama and Georgia with authority for crowd control. We sold tickets to all events in advance to avoid ticket lines, although we realized that we would still have lines associated with security checks. We told visitors to expect some inconvenience.”

Brown said he made a video to clearly state the university’s clear bag security policy and prohibitions against drugs and weapons on campus. He said there were entry checks at all officially sponsored events, some random and some 100% checks.

“However, the general campus remained open and we did not, nor could we have planned for security at an event that was not approved in advance or officially sanctioned by the university,” Brown said.

“The event in which the shooting took place was not approved in advance, and in no way was it sanctioned by the university.

“Nonetheless, it happened on our campus, and we take full responsibility for allowing a thorough investigation and implementing corrective actions.

“Students are our greatest asset, and we will do everything possible to protect them. Mother Tuskegee has been serving students and changing their lives for the betterment of some 143 years. We remain resolute to safely continue that mission.”

In addition to the security changes, Brown said Tuskegee is focusing on the well being of students who could be affected by the tragedy.

“Today and tomorrow, the campus is closed so that students can take a moment to focus on their own mental health and healing,” Brown said. “Counseling is available to them in person or virtually for as long as they may need it. We have and will prioritize the mental health of our students.”

Kimorie Carlisle, a sophomore from Birmingham, said she was talking to some friends and heard gunfire from what sounded like more than one shooter.

”Out of nowhere we just heard gunshots,” Carlisle said. “And I remember just getting down on the ground. There was like maybe five people on top of me. It was really scary.”

Carlisle estimated she stayed on the ground about eight minutes before running to a dorm and still heard gunshots after she was inside.

Carlisle said the campus needs to improve its security.

She noted there was also a shooting last year. Four people were injured at a student housing complex while leaving an “unauthorized party” in September 2023.

”They need to do better,” Carlisle said. “Enforce more security, because this all could have been prevented.”

Carlisle said she is relying on her faith to cope with the trauma.

”I’m trusting that God is going to do something here and things will turn out better eventually.”