Shelter-in-place lifted at UMass Lowell; police say suspect no longer near campus
A campus-wide shelter-in-place that was issued at UMass Lowell Wednesday afternoon in response to a report of an armed man on campus was lifted around 5:30 p.m., according to the university's emergency alert system.
"Based on a search and investigation, law enforcement partners believe the suspect is no longer in the vicinity," a text message sent through the alert system reads. "A large police presence is being maintained on campus, and officers will be stationed at all residence halls overnight."
During a Wednesday night press conference, UMass Lowell Police Chief Ronald Dickerson declined to say how authorities determined that the suspect is no longer on campus, stating that doing so could compromise the investigation. However, he said, students should feel confident that they are safe.
"At no time was this an active shooter situation, and there is no evidence of shots fired," Lowell police wrote in a Thursday evening press release .
Lowell police received a report of a person at UMass Lowell who may be armed with a gun shortly before 2:30 p.m., the police department said.
A student reported seeing a suspect with a gun behind the Riverview Suites student dorm on Middlesex Street, Dickerson said during the press conference. Soon after, a video of the suspect was sent to police. Authorities later confirmed the presence of the suspect through security camera footage, he said.
Lowell police also mentioned a social media video previously referenced by State Police that appears to show an armed person walking near Riverview Suites. Police have not confirmed that the person seen in the video is carrying a weapon, but Dickerson said the suspect appeared to be holding a "long firearm."
Lowell police, Massachusetts State Police, a SWAT Team and several federal law enforcement agencies responded to the campus to search for the suspect using drones, K-9 units and the State Police Air Wing, Lowell police said.
Authorities are still investigating the incident, Lowell police said. They are asking anyone with information about it to call 978-937-3200.
All classes and events at UMass Lowell have been cancelled for the rest of the day. Wednesday was the first day of classes at the university.
No further information about the incident has been released.
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