A lockdown at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minnesota, was lifted on Thursday morning after authorities determined there was no physical threat to the campus. The Austin Police Department later confirmed the security measure was initiated in response to a concerning phone call from an individual who was not in the area.
The incident, which lasted for approximately 90 minutes, concluded with law enforcement locating the caller and arranging for them to receive medical assistance. The case remains under investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Riverland Community College was placed on lockdown from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Thursday.
- The lockdown was triggered by a phone call alleging potential harm to the campus.
- Austin Police confirmed no active physical threat was ever present at any local schools.
- The individual who made the call was located in a different city and is now receiving medical care.
Timeline of the Campus Lockdown
On Thursday morning, Riverland Community College initiated a campus-wide lockdown at approximately 8:45 a.m. A member of the college's communication team confirmed the security protocol was active for both the east and west buildings of the Austin campus.
Students and staff were instructed to shelter in place while authorities responded to the situation. The lockdown remained in effect for about an hour and a half.
By 10:15 a.m., college officials, in coordination with law enforcement, lifted the lockdown after assessing that there was no immediate danger to the campus community. Normal operations resumed shortly thereafter.
Initial Police Response
While the lockdown was active, the Austin Police Department (APD) released a statement at 9:50 a.m. to address public concern. The department clarified that while it was aware of the lockdown, it was "not aware of any active, ongoing, or past action physical issues at that property." Police emphasized that there was no evidence of any "physical activity" at Riverland or any other educational facilities in Austin, helping to prevent wider panic.
Investigation Reveals Source of Concern
Later in the afternoon, the Austin Police Department provided a detailed explanation of the events that led to the lockdown. Officials stated the incident was "triggered by a concerning phone call that alleged that someone would try to do to harm at the campus."
The department revealed that the caller had made a simultaneous call to another party, which raised concerns for the caller's own health and well-being. This information prompted a swift and cautious response from both the college and law enforcement agencies.
Locating the Individual
While the caller was identified as a resident of Austin, the investigation quickly determined their physical location was elsewhere. Officers dispatched to conduct a welfare check discovered the individual was in the Twin Cities metro area, not in Austin.
The APD coordinated with a law enforcement agency in the metro area to make contact with the person. According to the police statement, arrangements were then made to transport the individual to a medical facility for evaluation and care.
Lockdown Duration and Resolution
- Start Time: 8:45 a.m.
- End Time: 10:15 a.m.
- Total Duration: Approximately 90 minutes.
- Resolution: The lockdown was lifted once it was confirmed the caller was not near the campus and posed no physical threat.
No Ongoing Threat to Public Safety
Authorities have been clear that at no point was there an active physical threat on the Riverland Community College campus or within the city of Austin. The lockdown was a precautionary measure taken out of an abundance of caution based on the information received.
In their 2:24 p.m. update, the Austin Police Department stated they worked closely with the college to investigate the original cause of concern and also maintained contact with school resource officers throughout the Austin school district to ensure all educational locations were safe.
The police department has confirmed that the case remains under investigation to understand the full context of the incident. However, they have reassured the public that the situation has been resolved and is contained. The focus has now shifted to the well-being of the individual involved.