HAMILTON COUNTY, Ind. -- The primary focus for county leaders around the state who attended the "Indiana Association of County Commissioners" on Tuesday was the lessons learned during the school shooting at Noblesville West Middle School earlier this year.
For the first time since the May 25 shooting, commissioners had the chance to hear directly from people in Hamilton County who had a hand in responding to the scene that day.
READ | Noblesville shooter ordered to DOC until age 18
Their key takeaway was that being prepared can make all the difference in a dire situation.
Prior to the actual shooting, Hamilton County's Emergency Management team hosted several active shooter training drills with police, fire and hospital personnel in detailed mock scenarios.
Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowen highlighted the value of those training sessions and another important lesson learned: Keep your eyes open to warning signs.
"I can't say enough about the "See Something, Say Something" campaign," said Sheriff Bowen. "In most of these situations, somebody knew something and didn't take it seriously or underestimated what it may or may not have been and failed to tell somebody."
Sheriff Bowen also stressed the importance of looking into tips of or warning signs, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
Ella Whistler and her teacher Jason Seaman were shot at Noblesville West Middle School by a 13-year-old boy who later admitted to the shooting. Whistler’s family previously said she was shot in the face, neck and chest, and suffered collapsed lungs and several broken bones.
A judge ruled earlier this month that the boy would be held at a state juvenile detention center until he is 18 or deemed rehabilitated.
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