The University of North Carolina Wilmington campus was placed on a three-hour lockdown Thursday evening after receiving reports of an armed individual, which were later confirmed to be a false alarm. UNCW Chancellor Aswani Volety, who was on campus during the event, has provided details about his experience and the university's emergency communication protocols.
Key Takeaways
- A report of a man with a gun triggered a campus-wide lockdown at UNCW on Thursday night.
- Chancellor Aswani Volety was on campus and sheltered in place, receiving the alert at the same time as students and staff.
- The lockdown lasted approximately three hours before law enforcement declared the area safe and the report unfounded.
- The Chancellor defended the university's communication strategy, stating that limiting updates prevents interference with the police investigation.
Chancellor's Personal Experience During Lockdown
Chancellor Aswani Volety was attending an event on campus with his wife when the emergency alert was issued. Like thousands of students and faculty members, they immediately followed protocol and sheltered in place. Volety explained that he receives emergency notifications through the same system as the rest of the campus community.
"The Chancellor finds out along with everybody else because I don’t want to be a bottleneck in terms of expediency," Volety stated. He clarified that this direct alert system ensures information is distributed as rapidly as possible without administrative delays. He described the initial moments after the alert as inherently frightening.
"Of course, who wouldn’t be unsettled or afraid when the siren goes off and the announcement says shelter in place—go into a building and shelter in place," he recalled.
Family Concerns and Official Duties
As news of the lockdown spread, Volety's two daughters contacted him in a state of fear. He quickly reassured them of his safety but had to cut the communication short to focus on his responsibilities. "I told them we were fine but to stop texting," he said, explaining that his role as chancellor required his full attention on the unfolding situation.
Despite the personal anxiety, Volety expressed his trust in the authorities managing the crisis. "I also have profound confidence in our university police department as well as local, state, and federal officers that we work with," he added.
Addressing Communication During the Crisis
Throughout the three-hour ordeal, some students and parents expressed anxiety over the perceived lack of continuous updates from the university. Chancellor Volety acknowledged these concerns but provided a clear rationale for the communication strategy employed during an active law enforcement operation.
The Challenge of Real-Time Information
During an active threat situation, the primary goal of law enforcement is to secure the area and neutralize any potential danger. Communication from university officials is carefully managed to avoid disseminating unverified information or interfering with police operations. Officials must balance the public's need for information with the tactical needs of first responders.
Volety explained that repeatedly requesting status reports from officers on the ground would be counterproductive. "Asking the law enforcement officers ‘what’s going on, what’s going on’ would only impede the work that they are doing," he said. He emphasized that the priority is allowing police to conduct a thorough and uninterrupted investigation.
While he conceded that the university could have perhaps sent messages confirming the situation was ongoing, he asked for understanding from the community. "So that’s why I ask people for their grace," he stated. The final communication came once law enforcement had completed their sweep and issued an all-clear.
Massive Law Enforcement Response
The report of a potential armed individual triggered a significant and rapid response from multiple law enforcement agencies. Hundreds of officers from university, local, state, and federal departments converged on the UNCW campus to conduct a systematic search.
Multi-Agency Coordination
Incidents on university campuses often involve a coordinated response. This includes university police, city or county police, state highway patrol, and federal agencies like the FBI. This multi-layered approach ensures that sufficient personnel and resources are available to manage a large-scale event across a sprawling campus.
Officers meticulously combed through buildings and grounds, following their active threat protocols. The extensive search was a necessary precaution to ensure the safety of every person on campus. After approximately three hours of investigation, the authorities found no evidence of a credible threat.
The lockdown was lifted, and the university issued an all-clear notification, officially classifying the initial report as a false alarm. No injuries were reported during the incident.
The Aftermath and University Protocol
Following the event, the university is reviewing its response and reinforcing its emergency procedures. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the realities modern campuses face. University officials often use these events as real-world drills to identify areas for improvement in their emergency plans.
Key aspects of the protocol that functioned as designed include:
- The rapid dissemination of the initial alert to all members of the campus community.
- The immediate implementation of shelter-in-place procedures by students and staff.
- The seamless coordination between university police and external law enforcement agencies.
Chancellor Volety's public comments aim to provide transparency and reassure the community of the university's commitment to safety. The focus now shifts to supporting students and staff who may have been emotionally affected by the unsettling experience and ensuring that all systems are prepared for any future emergencies.