It was the early morning of September 1st when TCU Junior, Wes Smith was fatally shot outside of a bar on West Seventh Street. The tragedy impacted many on campus and students began to question the safety of the most popular bar district in the city.  “The campus was confused at first. There were so many rumors, no one knew what to believe, but when it was confirmed, I just felt sad and scared,” said senior Matthew Mays. The shift in where students go on their weekend nights has led to a lot safer conditions for students. West Seventh has been subject to shootings, stabbings and many fights constantly for years now.  “Students can’t have fun if they don’t feel safe,” said senior Wills Black. “For all three years I have been here, West Seventh has been subject to fights in the streets every night, gunshots ringing off and violence.” The risk was always in the back of students’ minds. But losing Smith was enough to make a change. “It was always in the back of your mind going out and now with students staying closer to campus at bars like Rusty Nickel, students are able to have more stress-free fun,” he added.  With fewer students going to West Seventh, the bars closer to campus have seen a steep incline in students on the weekends with lines out the door.