Security Newswire

Va. Tech Lifts Lockdown After Gunman Seen on Campus

Virginia Tech, scene in 2007 of the deadliest shooting at a U.S. college, lifted its campus alert Thursday afternoon after three children attending an academic camp said they saw a man holding an object that looked like a gun covered by a cloth.

The campus was locked down after the campers reported seeing a man near a campus dining hall, walking quickly toward volleyball courts, at 9:09 a.m. Police went to the area, and university administrators issued a campuswide alert at 9:37 a.m. on the university's website, text-messaging system, Twitter feed and classroom electronic bulletin boards.

The alert instructed students and employees to stay inside and lock their doors and said emergency personnel were responding to the situation.

Officials didn't find anyone but said there would continue to be a large police presence on campus throughout the day.

More than 45,000 people subscribe to the school's alert system, along with an e-mail sent to the entire campus, school spokesman Mark Owczarski said. The school's outdoor sirens also sounded, he said.

All classes were cancelled for the day.

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!