Current Show Me Center safety measures cause concerns for community members

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - A single shot sent hundreds running out of the Show Me Center Sunday, ending Cape Central High School’s graduation prematurely.

By Monday afternoon, Southeast Missouri State University issued a statement saying leaders are saddened by what happened and reviewing safety protocols and procedures in place.

“I feel like they didn’t really check anybody whenever people were coming in. And I feel like that’s really important with how times are these days,” said attendee Maria Malone.

To learn more about current safety measures, we went to the Show Me Center’s website. It lists a total of 19 arena policies. We found more than a dozen items are prohibited, including weapons of all kinds.

However, Cape Central’s graduation did not include any security staff checking for those items. Attendees at Jackson High School’s graduation two nights prior told us the same thing.

Under Security Checks, you can see the Show Me Center does use hand-held metal detectors and conducts bag checks at all major events. But, we could not get SEMO’s spokesperson to tell us what constitutes a major event.

When bags are checked, you can see certain sizes and types of bags, and coolers are not allowed in.

Back outside the venue Sunday, students and their families reflect on what happened and how it could have been so much worse.

“If you have these types of issues, go seek help or try to talk it out without gunfire. Just talk to somebody. Don’t do this at events where people are trying to see something great happen. Just don’t do it,” said attendee Angela Smith-Ladd.