Tension gripped Northwestern University as officials issued an "active threat" alert following reports of shots fired near the school's Evanston campus late Sunday night. The chilling warning, which urged the community to "run, hide, fight," was broadcast just before 11:00 p.m. via the university's emergency alert system. The message left students and faculty on edge until police declared the area safe nearly an hour later.
The supposed threat, centered around 70 Arts Circle Drive, which is near the Bienen School of Music, triggered a swift response from campus police. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the all-clear was given at about 11:44 p.m., with no injuries reported. However, authorities advised those on campus to "continue to avoid the area," as police maintained their presence, delving into the night's events.
Previous incidents, such as the shot fired outside the university's Wieboldt Hall on its downtown campus in November, have put authorities on high alert for potential campus violence. As the situation unfolded, details were scant, with the university and campus police spokespeople unavailable for immediate comment, and the Evanston police providing no swift response to inquiries.
The university community initially received instructions offering stark options: "Take proper shelter. Lock and/or barricade doors. Await further information," the alert stated according to a Chicago Tribune report.
The search for a shooter, or the confirmation of the reported gunshots' origin, has not been publicly clarified at this time.
