Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach campus ground to a halt last night after an anonymous caller told campus security they were five minutes away and planned to shoot it up, according to law enforcement. The threat sent students and staff into shelter-in-place mode while officers swept buildings and walked people back to residence halls. By the end of the night, authorities reported no gunshots, no injuries, and a campus crawling with local and federal investigators.
What officials say
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood told WESH the call came in around 8:40 p.m. The caller allegedly said they were "five minutes away" and planned to start shooting the campus with an AK-47. Chitwood stressed officers did not treat it as an active shooter already on campus but as a credible threat that demanded an immediate, full-scale response.
Campus response
The Daytona Beach Police Department said the lockdown was put in place "per normal protocol," with campus safety sending alerts instructing everyone to shelter in place, according to ClickOrlando. Officers were seen escorting students back to their rooms while teams methodically cleared the Student Union and other campus buildings.
Investigation underway
Sheriff Chitwood and Daytona Beach detectives reported no sightings of a shooter and no shots fired, and the FBI joined the investigation, according to WESH. Officials are asking anyone with information about the threat to contact Daytona Beach Police or the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Campus safety and earlier threats
According to Embry-Riddle, the Daytona Beach campus relies on systems such as a campuswide siren and Rave reverse-911 alerts to reach students and staff in emergencies. The university lists its local campus address as 1 Aerospace Boulevard.
The campus has faced serious threats before. In 2021, police arrested a student accused of plotting a mass shooting at Embry-Riddle, according to earlier reporting by ClickOrlando.
Embry-Riddle and Daytona Beach Police had not issued a detailed on-the-record statement beyond emergency alerts as of publication. This story will be updated as additional official comments are released.
