LMCane said:
I would prefer Smeghead run this investigation than the Providence Police Department
I appreciate the vote of confidence. I've never been a detective, but I did complete the TCOLE Basic Criminal Investigation course online.
That said, some of these headlines about the police not knowing how long the shooter was in the lecture hall or how long the gun was are just silly clickbait.
Unless there were cameras recording the classroom - either security cameras or students recording the study session (and what is Brown's policy on recording lectures? I know TAMU policy requires prior approval from the instructor) - the only estimate police are going to get is from witnesses, who will probably be suffering from serious time distortion from the trauma/stress/adrenaline.
As far as 'how long the gun was', again, unless it was on camera, the best they're going to have is witness statements, and unless he's rolling a Deagle or something similarly distinctive, those will probably be on the order of "he had a black pistol, like a Glock or something."
Now, there may have been one or more cameras in the room. TAMU has cameras in the large lecture halls at least, but they're usually at the back, pointing toward the front. Since the shooter came in from the back of the hall, there's a good chance that even if there was a (functioning) camera, he was off camera while shooting.
Just for reference, a Glock 19 with a standard mag holds 15 rounds, plus 1 in the chamber. Even a marginally competent shooter can empty that in about 15 seconds. Even a little bit of practice can cut that down to 10 seconds for decently aimed shots at a stationary, close target, or less for just spraying the room.
That said, not knowing who was in the room, at least at the time the first officers arrived and could secure the scene, is straight up incompetent if true. That's basic police work and active shooter priorities of work.
1) Stop the killing (i.e., stop the bad guy(s))
2) Stop the dieing (first aid for victims and get EMS in)
3) Secure the scene (control anyone entering and leaving, keep a log, and don't let anyone disturb the scene)
Even new patrol officers should know that.