Police authorities at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville have issued an alert regarding a potential active shooter threat on campus. The alert was prompted by reports of a gun sighting at Shannon Library. However, subsequent police investigations revealed no evidence of an actual attack.
Following the clearance of the false alarm, normal campus activities are set to resume as officials launch an inquiry into the origins of the erroneous report. Authorities have given the “all clear” signal at the University of Virginia after earlier concerns about a potential shooter presence were dispelled by law enforcement findings.
An investigation into the false alarm is underway, with the support of Charlottesville police and fire departments, as confirmed by Kyle Ervin, a spokesperson for the city of Charlottesville. The safety protocol known as “run-hide-fight” or “run-hide-tell” is a recommended guideline to aid individuals in surviving active shooter situations. Developed by the City of Houston in the early 2010s, the protocol has garnered endorsement from major federal agencies including the US Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.
Police presence remains at Shannon Library on the UVA campus for continued investigation. An emergency alert was disseminated warning students and staff of a reported “active attacker” with a gun near the library.
Although no active threat has been found, police have advised ongoing adherence to safety protocols. The update was issued at 3:41 pm local time, following the initial alert at around 3:05 pm local time.
According to Brian Coy, a university spokesperson, there is currently no evidence of an actual attack, with investigations ongoing. The situation arose after reports of an “active attacker” following a gun sighting near Shannon Library at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.