Police at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville issued a warning alert regarding a potential ‘active shooter’ on campus today. The alert was prompted by reports of a gun at Shannon Library, but subsequent investigations revealed no signs of an actual attack.
Following the clearance of the situation, normal campus activities are set to resume, with officials confirming the initiation of an inquiry into the false alarm. Authorities have given the ‘all clear’ signal at the University of Virginia after the initial reports of a shooter on campus were dispelled.
An investigation is underway to look into the origins of the false report after law enforcement found no substantiation of any attack or imminent threat. The Charlottesville police and fire departments are supporting campus police in their inquiries, as stated by Kyle Ervin, a representative for the city of Charlottesville.
The safety protocol known as “run-hide-fight” or “run-hide-tell” is a strategic guide aimed at aiding individuals in surviving active shooter or violent intruder situations in the United States. Originating from the City of Houston in the early 2010s, this protocol has garnered endorsement from federal agencies such as the US Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.
The University of Virginia has confirmed that police are present at Shannon Library and are actively conducting investigations. This follows an emergency alert notifying students and staff of an “active attacker” with a gun near the library.
While no active attacker has been confirmed by authorities, students and staff are advised to adhere to safety protocols. Updates were provided at 3:41 pm local time, urging continued vigilance. The UVA Department of Safety and Security had issued the initial alert around 3:05 pm local time.
According to Brian Coy, a university spokesperson speaking to USA TODAY, there is currently no evidence of an attack, and investigations are ongoing. Reports of an ‘active attacker’ were made by the police at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, stemming from a gun sighting near Shannon Library.
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