Were 'Snipers' on Roofs at Gaza Student Protests? What to Know

Clashes between police and pro-Palestinian protestors at college campuses across the United States have furthered tensions in the ongoing student activism against Israel's actions in Gaza.

Student protest encampments over the Israel-Hamas war have emerged at many college campuses since more than 100 demonstrators were arrested after Columbia called in police to clear an encampment on the university's main lawn.

Universities have sought to clear out the encampments as commencement ceremonies near. But while some have continued negotiations, others have turned to force resulting in clashes with police.

The number of arrests nationwide has neared 1,000 since the arrests at Columbia on April 18. Among the commentary, photos appeared online recently of "snipers" said to have been taken at Indiana University and Ohio State University. Several pictures appeared online showing police with tripod equipment and what looked like long-range firearms.

The post on X, formerly Twitter, by user rawsalerts, posted on April 26, 2024, and viewed 6.5 million times, said "#BREAKING: Snipers have been spotted on top of roofs at Ohio and Indiana universities as pro-Palestine protests causing a uproar #Ohio | #Indiana

"As dozens of protests break out across the United States at numerous universities, students and protesters have reported sightings of snipers on top of rooftops at Ohio State University and the University of Indiana Bloomingdale's [sic], causing an uproar.

"Some comments express concern, stating that 'putting snipers on the roof against students is exactly what police states do' or 'this is absolutely outrageous.' However, the presence of snipers is likely for safety reasons, in case of any potential threats or emergencies."

Newsweek has contacted the university and authorities involved to find out more.

Ohio State

The picture taken at Ohio State, visible from the banner in the bottom right, shows what looks like two people in front of tripods. A video shows one of them approaching a piece of equipment on the tripod.

University spokesperson Ben Johnson told Newsweek that "Ohio State Highway Patrol provided overwatch support, which is a standard safety measure when they assist with large gatherings."

"We don't discuss specific public safety protocols. In general, overwatch support is armed, and the team carries standard equipment, including firearms, that would only be used reactively to protect the safety of all present, including demonstrators."

Another photo then emerged of what appears to be an officer with an unmistakably fully deployed rifle with a scope. It shows them sitting on the same roof as the officers from the earlier photo.

Asked about this second photo, Johnson told Newsweek again that "we don't discuss public safety protocols."

Newsweek has contacted the Ohio State Highway Patrol for comment.

Indiana University Bloomington

In the other photo, which was shared widely on social media, a person can be seen from the top of the Indiana Memorial Union building, overlooking the Dunn Meadow green where protestors have been gathering.

Other pictures shared on social media allege that officers have been seen carrying rifles through the university buildings.

In a statement published by the Indiana House Democratic Caucus, Democratic State Representative Matt Pierce decried the university's handling of the protests, mentioning that there were "what appeared to be snipers," and calling out its President Pamela Whitten.

"It's ironic that university leaders who continually use the excuse of potential violence to suppress speech it opposes invited onto campus state police with military-style weapons that included what appeared to be snipers stationed on rooftops to force a physical confrontation with protesters," Pierce said.

"This reckless decision is indefensible. Does President Whitten not remember Kent State?

"President Whitten must correct this grievous violation of First Amendment rights by requesting all criminal charges against those arrested be dropped and rescinding any year-long bans from campus that have been issued against the protesters.

"It's time for President Whitten to put an end to her amateurish handling of campus protests before someone gets seriously hurt.

Sergeant Kevin Getz of the Indiana State Police confirmed there were police on the roof, but did not provide other details.

"There were Indiana State Police personnel on the roof who assisted with observing Dunn Meadow, however, the Indiana State Police does not speak publicly to operational, specific personnel, or tactical matters as they pertain to events such as this," Getz said.

A report in the IndyStar has since stated that State Police Superintendent Doug Carter had confirmed that a decision was made to put personnel with rifles on rooftops.

"Those weren't intended to be sniper positions. They were over-watch positions," Carter told WIBC's Tony Katz Today radio show, adding "Did they have sniper capabilities? Yes, they did.

"But the analogy that we're going to create another Kent State was completely disingenuous and not truthful."

It is not the first time that snipers have been used at protest events. Last year, police in Atlanta were criticized for deploying snipers among other actions at a mass protest called "Block Cop City".

In 2020, a leaked Department of Homeland Security document showed that elite swat teams and sniper-trained units were sent to Washington D.C. amid protests outside the White House against police brutality.