FAYETTEVILLE — An active shooter was reported at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus Monday, according to a university alert system, but local police said there is no evidence that a shooting occurred.
“Since the original call, multiple calls at multiple locations around the university have come in. As of now, there are no confirmed gunshots, no confirmed injuries, no known suspects, and no arrests have been made,” according to a Fayetteville Police Department social media post about 2 p.m. “We are following up on every call and investigating every lead. Safety of all students, faculty, and our community is our top priority.”
The University also posted an update just before 2 p.m. giving the all-clear.
“RazALERT: After investigating multiple reports, police have not confirmed any active threats on campus at this time. Avoid, deny, defend protocols have been lifted at this time while police continue to patrol campus, but please be vigilant. Due to today’s events, classes are cancelled for the remainder of day, but will resume Tuesday. Students are free to leave campus at this time if desired. Housing and most dining services remain open. Razorback Transit plans to continue routes.”
A shooter was reported near David W. Mullins Library, according to the university RazALERT emergency notification system. The university said in a text sent to the campus community Monday afternoon that University of Arkansas Police were evacuating students.
The following alert was sent to students and faculty at 12:27 p.m. Monday.
“RazALERT Emergency Notification: Avoid the area of Mullins Library due to an active shooter reported. Avoid. Deny. Defend.”
Fayetteville Police Department spokesman Sgt. Stephen Mauk said just after 12:30 p.m. that officers were investigating a possible active shooter, but said he had not received confirmation that there was an active shooter as of that time.
About 1:30 p.m., Mauk said there was no evidence of a shooting, but police were running down leads and looking for evidence.
Fayetteville police and Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were seen responding on Dickson Street toward the campus shortly after noon.
Police set up a perimeter around the Mullins Library area.
Fayetteville Public Schools went on lockdown Monday in response to the report at the university, according to a notice sent by the School District at 1:13 p.m.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation and are in touch with local law enforcement,” the notice states. “Our schools are remaining in secure status, meaning no one is allowed in or out of the schools but the school day is continuing.”
A notice sent to families around 1:50 p.m. states that law enforcement was requesting the following schools remain on lockdown until further notice: Asbell, Leverett and Washington elementaries; Ramay and Woodland junior high schools; Fayetteville High School; and ALLPS School of Innovation. All other schools were set to return to normal status at 1:45 p.m.
“While many rumors are circulating it is our understanding that law enforcement have not validated any claims at this point,” the notice states.
At 2:13 p.m., the district sent a final notice to families saying all schools would return to normal status at 2:15 p.m.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders took to social media site X shortly after 1 p.m. saying the state government was “in touch with school administrators and are monitoring the situation.” She recommended people stay alert and follow the direction of law enforcement personnel.
Since university students around the nation have returned to school for the fall semester, temporary lockdowns have been implemented at the University of South Carolina, Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on reports of shooters or gunfire on campus.
In all three instances, university officials reported no actual shooter nor gunfire was confirmed.
In Pennsylvania on Thursday, someone called 911 reporting a shooter in a Villanova law school building with at least one wounded victim. Students received texts from the school’s alert system, but the school’s president later said it was a hoax.
That same day in Tennessee, the university locked down its campus, telling students: “Possible active shooter in the University Center or Library. Run. Hide. Fight. More info forthcoming.” The lockdown was lifted after multiple law enforcement agencies responded. School officials said there was no evidence of any threat.
The University of South Carolina gave the all-clear Sunday after issuing an alert about a possible active shooter near the campus library.
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