Large police presence at UMass Boston campus due to ‘unconfirmed report’ of a shooting
School officials from the University of Massachusetts Boston are warning about a "police incident" on campus and are advising the public to avoid the area on Thursday afternoon.
At 5:11 p.m., the university reported the incident on campus was all clear.
"There is no ongoing threat to the community," the university said in a statement.
The Boston Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 240 Morrissey Blvd. on the campus at about 3:40 p.m.
"Multiple units responded and are actively investigating the building and surrounding area," a police spokesperson said at about 5 p.m. "At this time, there has been no confirmation of shots fired and no confirmation of any individuals with firearms on campus.
Massachusetts State Police issued a statement stating they arrived at the campus due to "an unconfirmed report of a shooting on campus."
The university put out a statement on X.com about an incident in or near the Residence Hall East Building.
"UMass Boston Alert: Police incident in/near Residence Hall East Building. Avoid area. More information to come," the school wrote in a statement at about 3:40 p.m.
At 4:01 p.m., the university described the incident as a "public safety threat."
A university spokesperson said the shooting remained unconfirmed at about 4:20 p.m.
UMass Boston students Shannon Mawn and Lydia Cathcart said they were watching the police activity from their dorm building around 4:30 p.m. when they were told to evacuate and come out of the building with their hands up.
"It was scary," said Mawn, who was standing barefoot with a large group of students watching from across the street. "We didn't even have time to put our shoes on."
Last week, a campus-wide shelter-in-place was issued at UMass Lowell in response to a report of an armed man on campus. Public safety officials said at the time it was "never an active-shooter situation" and there were no reports of shots for that incident.
The following day, police identified a boy who carried an airsoft replica gun that prompted the large law enforcement response. His name was not released and he was not arrested, police said.
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