active-threat campus emergency notice — shots fired

To check this alert, Claude Opus 5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

• Sourcepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present by 25 of 25. The sender speaks as the responding authority: "Police are responding" and "Columbia police continue to investigate".

  Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as responding and investigating.
  2. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as responding and investigating.
  3. present: Columbia police and responding "Police" are named as the acting authority.
  4. present: Police and Columbia police are identified as responding and investigating.
  5. present: Responding police and "Columbia police" are named as investigating, identifying the authority behind the messages.
  6. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as responding and investigating.
  7. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as investigating and responding.
  8. present: Responding "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as the acting authority.
  9. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are named as investigating and responding.
  10. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as investigating and responding.
  11. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as responding and investigating.
  12. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are named as responding and investigating.
  13. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" investigating identify the responding authority.
  14. present: "Columbia police" and police who "are responding" identify the responding authority.
  15. present: Police and "Columbia police" are named as responding and investigating the reports.
  16. present: The updates credit "Police" and "Columbia police" as responding and investigating.
  17. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as investigating and responding.
  18. present: Police and "Columbia police" are named as investigating and responding.
  19. present: Police and "Columbia police" are identified as investigating and responding.
  20. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are named as responding and investigating.
  21. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are named as responding and investigating in these entries.
  22. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are named as the responding and investigating agency.
  23. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are identified as responding and investigating.
  24. present: Police and Columbia police are named as responding and investigating.
  25. present: "Police" and "Columbia police" are named as responding and investigating.
• Hazardpresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present by 25 of 25. The threat is named at once, "Gunshots reported", then "reports of shots fired at Fifth Street and Turner Avenue".

  What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: It names "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" as the threat.
  2. present: "Gunshots reported" names a specific firearms hazard.
  3. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name a specific firearm threat.
  4. present: The threat is specific: "Gunshots reported" and reports of shots fired.
  5. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name a specific firearm threat.
  6. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name a specific threat.
  7. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name a specific weapons hazard.
  8. present: "Gunshots reported at Fifth Street and Turner Avenue" names the threat specifically.
  9. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name a specific weapons threat.
  10. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name the specific threat.
  11. present: "Gunshots reported at Fifth Street and Turner Avenue" names a firearms threat.
  12. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name a specific weapons threat.
  13. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name the threat specifically.
  14. present: The threat is named as "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired".
  15. present: The hazard is specific: "Gunshots reported" and later "reports of shots fired".
  16. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name the specific threat.
  17. present: It names "Gunshots reported" and later "reports of shots fired", a specific hazard.
  18. present: It names "Gunshots reported" and reports of shots fired, a specific threat.
  19. present: The threat is named as "Gunshots reported" and later reports of shots fired.
  20. present: "Gunshots reported" and later "reports of shots fired" name the hazard specifically.
  21. present: The threat is stated as "Gunshots reported" and reports of shots fired near the apartments.
  22. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name the specific threat.
  23. present: It reports "Gunshots" and "shots fired", a specific firearm threat.
  24. present: "Gunshots reported" and reports of shots fired name a specific armed hazard.
  25. present: "Gunshots reported" and "reports of shots fired" name the specific threat.
• Locationpresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present by 25 of 25. The location is repeated and precise: "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".

  Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: The place is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  2. present: The site is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  3. present: The location is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  4. present: The location is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  5. present: The scene is given as "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  6. present: The place is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  7. present: It locates the event at "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  8. present: The location is Fifth Street and Turner Avenue "near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  9. present: It is located at "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  10. present: It gives "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  11. present: The location is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  12. present: The location is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  13. present: "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments" locates it.
  14. present: The place is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  15. present: It locates the event at "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  16. present: It gives "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  17. present: Location is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  18. present: The location is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  19. present: The area given is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  20. present: The place is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  21. present: The location is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  22. present: It locates the reports at "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  23. present: The place is "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments on Turner".
  24. present: It gives Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments as the location.
  25. present: "Fifth Street and Turner Avenue near U Centre apartments" locates the incident.
• Guidancepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present by 25 of 25. Each early update carries the same order, "Stay away from or leave the area", lifted only by the closing "ALL CLEAR".

  The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: It instructs recipients to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  2. present: It repeatedly instructs recipients to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  3. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area" in several messages.
  4. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  5. present: Each message orders recipients to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  6. present: The messages instruct "Stay away from or leave the area".
  7. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  8. present: Every early message tells recipients to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  9. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area" in several messages.
  10. present: It repeatedly instructs "Stay away from or leave the area".
  11. present: Each message tells readers to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  12. present: Recipients are told "Stay away from or leave the area" in several messages.
  13. present: "Stay away from or leave the area" is repeated direct guidance.
  14. present: Recipients are repeatedly told to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  15. present: It instructs recipients to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  16. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  17. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area" in the first and later messages.
  18. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area" in several updates.
  19. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area" in successive messages.
  20. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  21. present: Every early entry tells recipients to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  22. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area" in several updates.
  23. present: Recipients are told to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  24. present: It instructs recipients to "Stay away from or leave the area".
  25. present: "Stay away from or leave the area" gives recipients a protective action.
• Timepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present by 25 of 25. The sequence is stamped "9:00 p.m.", "9:10 p.m.", "9:20 p.m." and "9:30 p.m."

  When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: Entries are timed 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m.
  2. present: Entries are stamped "9:00 p.m." through "9:30 p.m."
  3. present: Messages are stamped 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m.
  4. present: Times of 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m. are given.
  5. present: The four entries are stamped 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m., and police are "actively investigating".
  6. present: Entries are stamped 9:00, 9:10, 9:20, and 9:30 p.m.
  7. present: Stamps of 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m. establish the sequence timing.
  8. present: Updates run from "9:00 p.m." to "9:30 p.m." with an all clear.
  9. present: Messages are stamped 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m.
  10. present: Entries at 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m. mark the sequence.
  11. present: Stamps at 9:00, 9:10, 9:20, and 9:30 p.m. sequence the updates.
  12. present: Timestamps run 9:00 to 9:30 p.m., and police are "actively investigating".
  13. present: Updates at 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m. establish timing.
  14. present: Updates carry times "9:00 p.m." through "9:30 p.m.".
  15. present: Updates are timestamped 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m.
  16. present: Entries are timed 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m.
  17. present: Updates are stamped from "9:00 p.m." to "9:30 p.m." in sequence.
  18. present: Entries are timed 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m.
  19. present: Timed entries run "9:00 p.m." through "9:30 p.m.".
  20. present: Messages are timed "9:00 p.m." through the "9:30 p.m." all clear.
  21. present: Entries are stamped 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m. in sequence.
  22. present: Updates carry clock times from "9:00 p.m." to "9:30 p.m."
  23. present: Updates run from 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in sequence.
  24. present: Entries are stamped 9:00, 9:10, 9:20 and 9:30 p.m.
  25. present: Timestamps from 9:00 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. mark the sequence.
• Impactpresent23/25

  Final assessment

  Present by 23 of 25. "One person has been assaulted" states actual harm; the two dissenters weighed the qualifier "they have not been shot" and the later all clear.

  What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. absent: The assault is noted but severity is qualified: the person "has not been shot", and the close reports no threat.
  2. present: It reports "One person has been assaulted", conveying actual harm from the incident.
  3. present: It reports "One person has been assaulted", stating actual harm to a person.
  4. present: It reports harm to a person: "One person has been assaulted, but they have not been shot".
  5. present: It states "One person has been assaulted", conveying that someone was physically harmed in the incident.
  6. present: It reports concrete harm to a person: "One person has been assaulted, but they have not been shot."
  7. present: It states "One person has been assaulted", conveying that someone was physically harmed.
  8. present: It states "One person has been assaulted", conveying actual harm to a person.
  9. present: It states "One person has been assaulted", conveying actual harm from the incident.
  10. present: The update that "One person has been assaulted" states a concrete injury from the incident.
  11. present: "One person has been assaulted, but they have not been shot" reports concrete harm to a person.
  12. present: It reports "One person has been assaulted", conveying actual harm to a person.
  13. present: "One person has been assaulted" states an actual injury from the incident.
  14. present: It states a concrete consequence: "One person has been assaulted, but they have not been shot".
  15. present: It states "One person has been assaulted", describing actual harm to a person from the incident.
  16. present: It reports "One person has been assaulted", stating actual harm from the incident.
  17. present: It reports "One person has been assaulted", stating a real human consequence of the incident.
  18. present: It reports that "One person has been assaulted", stating actual harm to a person.
  19. present: It states "One person has been assaulted", reporting real harm to a person at the scene.
  20. present: "One person has been assaulted, but they have not been shot" conveys actual injury from the incident.
  21. present: The update that "One person has been assaulted" conveys actual harm caused during the incident.
  22. present: It states "One person has been assaulted", conveying actual harm to a person in the incident.
  23. present: It reports "One person has been assaulted", stating harm done to a person.
  24. present: It reports "One person has been assaulted", stating actual harm to a person.
  25. absent: It reports one person assaulted but "not been shot", and no ongoing threat, so severity is absent.