The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) has canceled all classes for Friday, September 19, as a precautionary measure following a campus-wide lockdown triggered by false reports of a gunman. University officials and law enforcement confirmed late Thursday that the threat was unfounded after a thorough investigation.
The incident prompted a lockdown lasting nearly three hours, during which students and staff were instructed to shelter in place. While the campus was declared safe, the university administration decided to suspend academic activities to allow the community time to process the event.
Key Takeaways
- UNCW canceled all classes for Friday, Sept. 19, after a false alarm about a gunman on campus.
- A campus-wide lockdown was in effect for nearly three hours on Thursday evening.
- Law enforcement conducted a thorough sweep and confirmed there was no active threat.
- While classes are canceled, some campus services like dining and shuttles will operate with potentially reduced hours.
- An investigation into the origin of the false reports is currently underway.
University Operations Following the Incident
In a late-night communication on Thursday, UNCW officials provided details on the campus status for the following day. The primary decision was the cancellation of all classes to ensure the well-being of students and faculty.
Academic Activities Postponed
The university's official statement, sent at 11:40 p.m., confirmed the suspension of academic responsibilities. "In an abundance of caution, UNCW will cancel classes on Friday, Sept. 19, and all assignments and exams are postponed," the announcement read.
Students enrolled in fully online programs were advised to contact their instructors directly to understand how the cancellation might affect their specific courses. This ensures that remote learners receive clear guidance tailored to their program structure.
Changes to Campus Services
While academic life is on pause, essential campus services will continue to function, though possibly on a modified schedule. The university confirmed that the Campus Recreation Center, all campus dining locations, and the shuttle services are operational.
However, the UNCW Library will remain closed for the day. Students and staff are encouraged to check official university channels for any updates regarding the operating hours of available services.
Communicating in a Crisis
Universities often use multi-channel alert systems during emergencies. At UNCW, notifications were sent through its mobile app, UNCW Alert, providing real-time updates to the campus community throughout the lockdown and after the all-clear was issued.
Timeline of the Campus Lockdown
The events on Thursday evening unfolded rapidly, beginning with unconfirmed reports that led to a swift and serious response from university police and local law enforcement agencies.
Initial Alert and Lockdown Procedure
The first alerts warned of a potential threat on campus, advising everyone to seek immediate shelter. "Students are advised to seek shelter indoors, close windows and doors until the lockdown is lifted," stated a university alert. This triggered emergency protocols across the Wilmington campus, with students and faculty securing themselves in dorms, offices, and classrooms.
Multiple law enforcement units were observed arriving at the scene to begin a systematic search of the campus grounds and buildings. The university spokesperson confirmed that law enforcement was taking the claims seriously and conducting a comprehensive sweep.
Three-Hour Search Concludes
For nearly three hours, the campus remained on high alert as authorities meticulously investigated the reports. During this time, students remained sheltered in place, awaiting further instruction from university officials.
The extensive search involved multiple agencies working in coordination to ensure every part of the campus was checked and secured. The primary goal was to verify the presence of any threat and guarantee the safety of everyone on campus.
Emergency Response Facts
- The lockdown lasted approximately three hours.
- The "all-clear" message was issued around 9:50 p.m. on Thursday.
- The class cancellation notice was sent at 11:40 p.m., nearly two hours after the all-clear.
The "All-Clear" Announcement
At approximately 9:50 p.m., the university issued an all-clear message through its UNCW Alert system, officially ending the lockdown. The alert explicitly stated that the incident was a false alarm.
“This is an all-clear message from UNCW Alert,” the notification confirmed. “No active attacker on campus.” This message brought an end to a tense evening for thousands of students and staff members.
Official Law Enforcement Statement
Following the all-clear, UNCW Police Chief Frank Brinkley addressed the situation, providing clarity and reassurance to the university community. He confirmed that the reports were untrue and that the campus was safe.
“These reports were investigated thoroughly and found to be untrue. We continue to conduct our reviews of the information and the sources it came from, and we’ll provide more details in the coming days. We absolutely hate this happened to our campus and impacted our campus community in such a negative way,” Chief Brinkley said.
The Chief emphasized that there was never a shooter on campus and that all students and personnel were safe. His statement aimed to quell the fear and uncertainty that had gripped the community throughout the evening.
Investigation into the Source Continues
While the immediate threat has been dismissed, the investigation is not over. Chief Brinkley confirmed that authorities are now focused on reviewing the information and identifying the source of the false reports.
False reports of active shooters, sometimes referred to as "swatting," can cause significant panic and divert substantial law enforcement resources. Officials will work to determine the origin of the claims to prevent future incidents.
The university has promised to provide more details about the investigation in the coming days. A follow-up update for students and staff was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday to provide further information and guidance.