Janitor Invents Device to Prevent School Shooting Deaths

In response to deadly school shootings throughout the United States—the latest occurring in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24—a janitor in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has come up with an idea that can potentially save lives.

According to an article by KELOLAND News, Jeff Harris, a janitor for Dakota Wesleyan University, attended an active-shooter training on campus two years ago. During the session, Harris thought of a way to stop an armed assailant who might try to unlock a classroom door by first breaking the door’s window.

Harris took the idea and created what he calls the “Threat Stop,” a device that could prevent deaths in the event of a school shooting. Harris received his patent for the device on July 28.

It’s not his only invention designed to save lives during a school shooting. The former firefighter and EMT told KELOLAND News that he has two more devices he invented for other types of classroom doors that still have their patents pending. He hopes to sell the Threat Stop patent, and he’s currently negotiating with interested companies.