Classes are set to resume at the University of Massachusetts Lowell on Thursday, a day after police responded to reports of a person with what appeared to be a gun walking behind a residence hall.
The university issued a campus-wide shelter-in-place order as university and local police worked to investigate the reports. The order was lifted around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“Let me be clear: This was never an active-shooter situation. There were no reports of shots, and thankfully, there have been no reports of any injuries,” Chancellor Julie Chen wrote in a statement posted to the university’s website.
After issuing a shelter-in-place order, the university cancelled all classes and events scheduled on Wednesday. Law enforcement performed a “massive sweep” of the area and determined the suspect was no longer in the area.
A large police presence was set to remain at the university overnight, with officers assigned to each residence hall.
“This incident understandably creates anxiety and the need for support among all members of our campus community,” Chen wrote.
The university is making trauma specialists available to “provide education and support related to experiencing a traumatic event.” Counseling services will also have crisis appointments available for students.
Lowell police received a report of a person at UMass Lowell who may be armed with a gun shortly before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the police department said.
A student reported seeing a suspect with a gun behind the Riverview Suites student dorm on Middlesex Street, Chief Ronald Dickerson said during the press conference. Soon after, a video of the suspect was sent to police. Authorities later confirmed the presence of the suspect through security camera footage, he said.
But it is still not clear if the person was actually carrying a weapon. Police have not announced any arrests.
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