The University of North Carolina Wilmington canceled classes on September 19 after a prolonged campus lockdown the previous evening. The lockdown, which lasted over two hours, was prompted by multiple unconfirmed reports of an armed individual, which university officials and law enforcement later determined to be a false alarm with no credible threat.
Key Takeaways
- A shelter-in-place order was active at UNCW for more than two hours on September 18 due to a false gunman report.
- University officials confirmed there was no active attacker and no credible threat to the campus community.
- Classes were canceled the following day as a precautionary measure, though some campus services remained operational with reduced hours.
- The incident occurred amid heightened campus tensions following a memorial for a conservative activist.
Campus Lockdown and Alert Timeline
On the evening of September 18, the UNCW community was placed on high alert. The university's official communication channels began issuing warnings after receiving what were described as "unconfirmed reports of a gunman on campus."
The first alert was sent at approximately 7:35 p.m., advising students, faculty, and staff to shelter in place. This directive initiated a campus-wide lockdown as law enforcement began a thorough search of the grounds.
A subsequent update at 8:11 p.m. confirmed that the shelter-in-place order remained in effect while law enforcement continued their sweep of the campus. The university urged everyone to remain in a secure location.
Timeline of Events
- 7:35 p.m. - Initial alert issued about an unconfirmed gunman; shelter-in-place order begins.
- 8:11 p.m. - Update confirms lockdown is ongoing as police sweep the campus.
- 9:47 p.m. - An "all clear" is issued, ending the lockdown after more than two hours.
After more than two hours of uncertainty, the university issued an "all clear" message at 9:47 p.m. The alert definitively stated, "No active attacker on campus," bringing an end to the stressful situation for thousands of students and staff members.
Official Response and Investigation
Following the lockdown, UNCW officials worked to provide clarity and address the incident. In a statement issued on behalf of Chancellor Aswani Volety and his cabinet, the university addressed the nature of the reports.
"This afternoon and evening, multiple reports came in claiming an armed attacker was on campus. The reports have been investigated and found to be untrue," the statement read.
The university also highlighted the challenge of social media during the event, noting that "much misinformation is circulating." Officials pledged to conduct a thorough review of the sources of the false reports and provide more details as the investigation progresses.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
The response to the threat involved a coordinated effort. UNCW Police worked alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to swiftly investigate the claims. This collaboration was crucial in determining that there was no credible threat to the campus.
The administration emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of the university community are its highest priorities. The investigation aims to understand the origin of the false claims that triggered the extensive law enforcement response.
Impact on University Operations
In the aftermath of the lockdown, UNCW's leadership made the decision to alter campus operations for the following day. An announcement sent late on September 18 confirmed that all classes for September 19 would be canceled.
The university stated this decision was made "in an abundance of caution" to allow the community time to process the event. Students enrolled in fully online programs were advised to check with their instructors for specific guidance.
Changes to Campus Services
While academic activities were paused, some essential campus services continued to operate, though potentially with modified schedules. According to the university's communication, the following services were affected:
- The UNCW Library was closed for the day.
- The Campus Recreation Center remained operational.
- Campus dining services and shuttle services were available, but with potentially reduced hours.
University employees were instructed to observe "Condition 1 (Reduced Operations)." Mandatory employees were required to report to work, while other staff members were given the option to report late, leave early, or not come in, provided they communicated with their supervisors.
Recent Tensions Preceding the Incident
The false alarm did not occur in a vacuum. The university had experienced a period of increased tension in the days leading up to the lockdown. These events were linked to a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who had passed away.
A vigil for Kirk was held on campus on September 15. Shortly after, videos began circulating on social media showing students painting over a memorial tribute created on the university's "spirit rock."
The "Spirit Rock" Tradition
According to UNCW, the spirit rock serves as a "platform for freedom of expression" for the student body. While there is an informal request for students to leave artwork for at least 24 hours before repainting it, this is not a formal university policy, and the rock is frequently repainted by various student groups.
The social media circulation of the repainting videos appeared to fuel conflict. Furthermore, the campus had already dealt with another security concern on the morning of September 18. An earlier threat led to the evacuation of two campus buildings, Randall and Discovery halls, for nearly two hours before law enforcement cleared the area. These preceding events created a tense atmosphere on campus before the larger lockdown later that evening.