When confetti and champagne popped near the MSC Amphitheater during an Acts of Kindness event on April 24, Ashley Messer froze – afraid she was hearing gunshots.

“All I could think for the rest of the event was that I just stood there like a deer in headlights,” said the junior English major. “I didn’t run, I didn’t hide. I just stood there frozen. I think that scared me almost as much as the sound.”

The scare came after University Police found an empty gun case and ammunition magazines in the Fine Arts building on April 19, and students discovered an empty cartridge in Parking Lot 9 on April 22.

These events happened just days after the April 17 shooting at Florida State University, which left two people dead and six others injured, according to the Associated Press.

Following the FSU shooting and recent findings of gun materials at USF, some students said increased police presence hasn’t been enough to ease their fear.

Related: Empty gun cartridge found in USF parking lot: ‘It’s scary’

Messer is from Stuart, Florida, and was in eighth grade when the Parkland school shooting happened just an hour from her house. She said gun violence in schools has been a “huge source of anxiety” for her ever since.

When she graduated from Martin County High School, she felt a “huge weight lifted off [her] shoulders,” thinking something like that wouldn’t happen to her in college.

But then the shooting occurred at FSU, where one of Messer’s best friends studies.

“Now I’m back to being in a classroom, scared that I could die,” Messer said. “I haven’t felt safe on campus even with the increased police presence.”

In response to the FSU shooting, USF President Rhea Law said police presence on campus would increase out of “caution,” though there was no “reason to believe” the university was in danger.

UP spokesperson Michael Lavelle said there was never an “active threat” on campus and officers “took the necessary steps” to ensure the area was safe.

Lavelle said the investigation into the empty gun case, ammunition magazines and cartridge found at the university remains ongoing.

Lavelle said police and community service officers are patrolling the campus “with their lights on” and maintaining an increased presence. 

He also said there are ongoing conversations about creating a “satellite, remote office space” for UP officers in the Library, though there are no plans to have an officer stationed there permanently.

Related: Renovations, addition of security measures at USF Tampa Library expected to last until fall

When Arianna Ecioso found out about the gun case on April 21, she skipped class for the first time this semester. However, she had to return to campus just two days later for a class presentation.

“When I was in class on Wednesday, people would come in and out, and I would turn to look at the door to see who’s coming in, just observing everything because I was just feeling a little nervous,” said Ecioso, a senior public relations and advertising major.

Despite feeling scared, Ecioso said she understands why the university didn’t send an email “immediately after” the gun case was found.

“I think they didn’t want to alarm anyone,” she said.

The UP press releases were issued on April 21 and 22, while emails to the USF community went out on April 21 and 23. 

Related: Empty gun case, empty ammo magazines found at USF Fine Arts building

Lavelle also said people have contacted UP about false or inaccurate information that had been “spreading,” as well as about campus closures.

Dean of Students Danielle McDonald said students who are experiencing “anxiety or mental health concerns” can get help through resources such as the Counseling Center, TimelyCare and TogetherAll. 

Scott Strader, director of the Counseling Center, said students who are feeling fearful or unsafe should “rely” on some strategies, such as meditation, exercise or spending time with friends. 

He said the Counseling Center offers same-day “urgent” consultations, individual counseling appointments and after-hours crisis support by phone.

McDonald also said the community can learn how to prepare for or respond to an active threat through resources provided by the university’s emergency management office. 

Services include the USF Safe App and Blue Light Phones located throughout campus, which can alert police.

Related: USF increases police presence after FSU shooting

As time goes on after the incidents at USF, Ecioso said she’s still “a little bit nervous” about being on campus.

“I realized anything can happen any day,” she said. “I’m grateful nothing has happened and I hope nothing happens, but you just have to leave it in God’s hands.”