Active Shooter Drill at Jacksonville Commons Middle School

An active shooter training exercise was conducted at Jacksonville Commons Middle School on Monday, February 16, 2026, bringing first responders from across Onslow County together to hone their skills. The drill, held while school was not in session due to a federal holiday, involved Jacksonville Police Department officers, Onslow County Emergency Medical Services personnel, and local fire departments.

Realistic Training Scenario

The exercise aimed to simulate the intense and chaotic environment of an active shooter situation. Participants utilized makeup to mimic injuries and employed child-sized dummies to represent potential victims. This approach was designed to create a highly realistic training experience, allowing first responders to practice their coordination and response times under pressure.

Importance of Drills

Jacksonville Police Chief Jarad Phelps emphasized the critical importance of such drills. According to Chief Phelps, the exercises help officers, EMS personnel, and other first responders prepare for the emotional and physical demands of responding to an active shooter event. The goal is to refine performance and ensure the most effective response possible in a real-world crisis. “We are making it as realistic as possible. Officers are feeling emotions that they’re feeling EMS personnel or feeling the emotions that they’re dealing with they’re treating somebody we want to be able to have anxiety or stress up to hear so that we know we’re performing. We’re performing the best,” Phelps stated.

School Information

Jacksonville Commons Middle School is a public school located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, serving students in grades 6-8. It is part of the Onslow County Schools district. The school currently has an enrollment of approximately 918 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. The school’s address is 315 Commons Drive South, Jacksonville, NC 28546, and can be reached at (910) 346-6888. Learn more about Jacksonville Commons Middle School.

Onslow County Schools

Jacksonville Commons Middle School is one of nine middle schools within the Onslow County School District. The district is ranked 116 out of 242 school districts in North Carolina and has a 3-star rating. Find more information about Onslow County Schools.