VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) — After a gunman fired shots during afternoon dismissal at S.L. Mason Elementary School in Valdosta in September 2025, law enforcement agencies are creating plans to help with the response once an incident is over.

Valdosta State University hosted the training, which established plans to reunite students and families after emergencies.

“Ultimately, we were already looking at this and that just made it become a more real life situation for us,” VSU Police Chief Chris Hughes said in reference to the elementary school shooting. “We had to take something that we saw in the real world that’s so close to us and such a part of our community, and use that to push to move forward and get better as well.”

The reunification training was the first of its kind for the university and local law enforcement, according to Hughes. While active shooter training occurs every few years, Tuesday’s session focused on helping people reconnect with loved ones after large-scale events.

Furthermore, the police chief said the communication between agencies, students, parents and staff is critical in ensuring people can safely reunite without creating a hazard or a more hectic situation.

“This plan helps ensure that on the tail end, after the incident is over, there’s no risk to anyone at this point and we’re trying to make sure we put together a plan to make sure we get the students home and faculty and staff home as well,” Hughes said. “At the end of the day, we just want everyone to go home safe.”

The training was provided by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, an organization started in 2006 by Ellen and John-Michael Keyes after a school shooting claimed the life of their daughter Emily.

The foundation’s mission is to “restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions in collaboration with families, schools, communities, organizations and government entities,” according to VSU.

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