The University of North Carolina Wilmington is investigating the origin of false reports that led to a campus-wide lockdown on September 18. Chancellor Aswani Volety announced the cancellation of classes the following day and stated that law enforcement is actively seeking the source of the misinformation that triggered a significant police response.
Key Takeaways
- A series of anonymous tips about a gunman at UNCW prompted a shelter-in-place order for over two hours on September 18.
- The threat was later determined to be a false alarm, with no gunman found on campus.
- Chancellor Aswani Volety condemned the incident, stating the "sanctity of our campus home has been violated."
- Classes were canceled on September 19 as a precautionary measure, and an investigation is now underway to find the source of the reports.
Campus Placed on High Alert
On the evening of September 18, the University of North Carolina Wilmington community was instructed to shelter in place following reports of a potential gunman. The alert was issued after the university received what it described as a series of anonymous tips, which culminated in a report from a source deemed credible by officials.
The campus-wide lockdown lasted for more than two hours. During this time, students, faculty, and staff remained secured in buildings across the university. The all-clear was finally given at approximately 9:47 p.m. after an extensive search confirmed there was no active threat.
Timeline of Events
The incident began when university police started receiving anonymous reports. The decision to issue a campus-wide alert was made after one of these reports was considered credible. This triggered an immediate and large-scale law enforcement response to secure the campus and verify the threat.
Chancellor Expresses Anger Over Violation
In a video message released on September 19, UNCW Chancellor Aswani Volety addressed the university community, describing the emotional impact of the false alarm. He shared that he had sheltered in place at the Burney Center alongside approximately 35 faculty, staff, and students.
"We have experienced fear, dread, concern, and yes, even anger," Volety stated. "The very sanctity of our campus home has been violated, and I am angry for this violation."
Volety's statement acknowledged the significant disruption and anxiety caused by the incident. Following the lockdown, the university announced at 11:40 p.m. that all classes for September 19 would be canceled "in an abundance of caution" to allow the community time to process the event.
Recent Campus Tensions
The false alarm occurred in the days following a September 15 campus vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Incidents after the vigil included students painting over a memorial on the university's "spirit rock" and an unrelated threat that UNCW police responded to in the early hours of September 18.
Massive Law Enforcement Response
The reports of a gunman prompted a significant and coordinated response from multiple law enforcement agencies. Hundreds of officers were dispatched to the UNCW campus to conduct a thorough search and ensure the safety of everyone present.
Participating agencies included:
- University Police Department
- Wilmington Police Department
- New Hanover County Sheriff's Office
- Brunswick County Sheriff's Office
This multi-agency effort was crucial in systematically clearing buildings and confirming that the threat was not credible. The university later praised the rapid and professional response of all involved officers.
Investigation Shifts to Finding the Source
With the immediate threat cleared, Chancellor Volety confirmed that the focus has shifted from a safety response to a full investigation. He stated that law enforcement partners are now working to determine the origin of the false reports.
"Our law enforcement partners are shifting from a safety and intervention position to investigating what started this chain of events," Volety explained. Officials have not released any further information regarding the source of the tips or potential motives.
In a message to the university community, the chancellor's cabinet also warned against the spread of unverified information. "Please be aware that much misinformation is circulating on social media," the statement read, urging people to rely on official university channels for updates.
Commitment to Improving Campus Safety
In his address, Chancellor Volety made a firm commitment to enhancing security measures at the university. He emphasized his responsibility to protect the campus community and prevent similar incidents from causing widespread fear in the future.
"It is my duty to secure the integrity and safety of our university," Volety declared. "I will not rest until we improve upon the already extraordinary effort demonstrated yesterday."
The university has not yet detailed the specific safety improvements it plans to implement, but the chancellor's pledge indicates a comprehensive review of current protocols is underway. The investigation into the false alarm remains active and ongoing.