IU Southeast operating at normal status after report of weapon on campus

11th September 2014

NEW ALBANY, Ind., (Sept. 11, 2014) – Indiana University Southeast is operating at a normal status after reports of an individual with a weapon on campus earlier today.

At 12:40 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, a student witness called IU Southeast Campus Police to report a potential weapon he spotted being carried in a backpack.

The suspect was described as a white male, 5’ 10”, medium build with a shaved head. The suspect was reportedly carrying a camouflage backpack with what appeared to be about six to eight inches of a weapon sticking out of the top.

The campus followed emergency procedures and notified all students, faculty and staff through the IU Notify emergency communication system. The emergency communication was delivered via email, text message and voice message, and also made automatic updates to IU Southeast social media outlets and the IU Southeast homepage.

All those on campus were advised to seek shelter in a safe location, locking a door, if possible. Those off campus were advised to stay off campus until an “all clear” message was issued.

The campus was secured by campus police with support from local law enforcement agencies including the New Albany Police Department, Floyd County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police. No shots were fired. No injuries were reported. Within about one hour police intercepted the suspect, and the reported weapon was identified as a large golf umbrella.

IU Southeast Chancellor Ray Wallace was pleased to see that in a state of crisis, the campus’ emergency response plan, and those involved, performed so well.

“Our police force in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies cleared all the buildings on campus very quickly after we went into lockdown,” Wallace said. “Our students and staff responded impeccably.”

An “all clear” message was distributed via IU Notify at 2:00 p.m., releasing the campus from lockdown, and returning to a normal operating status.

“I’m just happy it was a false alarm—but also quite proud of the student who called it in,” Wallace said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

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