The University of North Carolina at Wilmington has cancelled all classes for Friday following a campus-wide shelter-in-place order Thursday evening. The lockdown was initiated in response to multiple unconfirmed social media reports of an armed individual, which an extensive law enforcement investigation later determined to be false.
Key Takeaways
- UNCW issued a shelter-in-place order Thursday evening due to reports of a gunman on campus.
- A multi-agency law enforcement investigation found the reports to be untrue and determined there was no credible threat.
- The university cancelled all classes for Friday, September 19, as a precautionary measure.
- The incident occurred during a week of heightened tensions on campus following recent national political events.
Campus Lockdown Triggered by Social Media Reports
On Thursday evening, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington issued its first security alert at 7:18 p.m. The notification informed students, faculty, and staff that the University Police Department (UPD) was investigating anonymous, unconfirmed reports circulating on social media about a person with a gun on campus.
The university immediately implemented its shelter-in-place protocol, advising everyone on campus to secure their location. Students and staff took refuge in classrooms, dormitories, and other university buildings. Some individuals were observed sheltering inside their vehicles as the situation developed.
Heavy Law Enforcement Presence
A significant law enforcement response was mobilized to address the potential threat. Officers from the UNCW Police Department, along with local, state, and federal partners, converged on the campus. Eyewitnesses reported a heavy presence of officers equipped with full tactical gear and carrying long arms.
Surveillance technology, including a helicopter and drones, was deployed to provide aerial observation as ground units systematically began to search campus buildings. The university issued a second alert at 8:10 p.m., instructing the community to continue sheltering in place while law enforcement conducted a comprehensive sweep of the grounds.
Timeline of Events
- 7:18 PM: First UNCW alert issued about unconfirmed reports of a gunman; shelter-in-place begins.
- 8:10 PM: Second alert confirms law enforcement is sweeping the campus and shelter-in-place continues.
- 9:47 PM: University issues an "All Clear!" alert, declaring the incident a false alarm.
Investigation Finds No Credible Threat
After more than two hours of a tense lockdown, the university announced an all-clear at 9:47 p.m. A formal statement confirmed that the reports of an active attacker were false and that there was no danger to the campus community.
In a statement posted on its website, UNCW officials explained, "The reports have been investigated and found to be untrue. We intend to thoroughly review each of these sources and provide more details in the coming days." The university emphasized that a full investigation was conducted to ensure the safety of everyone present.
UNCW Police Chief Frank Brinkley addressed the situation from a mobile command unit after the all-clear was given. He expressed his regret over the impact the event had on the campus community.
"We absolutely hate this happened to our campus community and impacted our campus community in such a negative way," Brinkley stated.
Context of Campus Tensions
This incident occurred amid a period of palpable tension at UNCW. The atmosphere was influenced by the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. Earlier in the week, a vigil for Kirk was held at UNCW, and a large "spirit rock" on campus was painted in his memory. The subsequent painting over of the tribute led to disagreements and prompted Chancellor Aswani Volety to issue a statement on Thursday afternoon calling for civil discourse and healing.
University Cancels Classes and Adjusts Services
Following the resolution of the incident, UNCW leadership made the decision to cancel all academic activities for the following day to allow the community time to process the event.
"In an abundance of caution, UNCW will cancel all classes on Friday, Sept. 19, and all assignments and exams are postponed," the university announced in an update. This measure was taken to support the well-being of students and staff who experienced the stressful lockdown.
Operational Changes for Friday
While classes were cancelled, the university confirmed that some essential services would remain operational, though potentially with reduced hours. These services include:
- The Campus Recreation Center
- Campus dining services
- Campus shuttle services
The UNCW Library, however, was scheduled to be closed for the day. The university encouraged everyone to monitor official channels for any further updates.
Gratitude for Cooperation and Law Enforcement
In its official communication, the university extended its appreciation to both the campus community and the responding law enforcement agencies. The statement read, "We are saddened the UNCW community had to experience this, and we want to thank those who were on campus for your cooperation and patience. We are also grateful for our university police department and the agencies that assisted us."
Officials continue to urge vigilance and have asked students and staff to report any concerns immediately by calling 911 or contacting UNCW Police directly.