A tense morning at the Community College of Rhode Island's Knight campus in Warwick ended in relief Tuesday after a reported gun sighting near campus triggered a lockdown that authorities later said was unfounded.
Students and staff were told to shelter in place as classes were suspended and police combed wooded areas near the campus, searching for a reported suspicious person and a possible firearm. The college instructed everyone on campus to stay put and wait for an official all clear before moving around.
Police Sweep Woods Off Commonwealth Avenue
Warwick police told NBC affiliate WJAR that a passerby reported seeing something sticking out of a backpack that "looked like the butt of a gun," which prompted officers to search the woods along Commonwealth Avenue, according to NBC Boston. The area officers focused on sits just off campus, and CCRI halted classes as a precaution while law enforcement worked the scene.
Campus Safety Playbook Kicks In
CCRI's campus police advise students and staff to follow the "Avoid, Deny, Fight" framework during any active-threat situation and provide emergency quick-reference guides tailored to each campus, according to CCRI Campus Police. In Tuesday's alert, the college told the community to decide whether to run, hide, or, as a last resort, fight, and to seek shelter, shut off lights, and silence phones while waiting for officials to clear the area.
Earlier Missteps In Alerts Shaped The Response
A 2025 after-action review found that a March incident that briefly locked down multiple CCRI campuses was marred by communication breakdowns and inconsistent messaging, according to The Boston Globe. The report called for clearer, campus-specific alerts and more drills, and college leaders have said they are rolling out those recommendations with revamped alert templates and expanded training.
For immediate updates and safety information, students and community members can check with CCRI Campus Police or call the campus police emergency line at (401) 825-2000. This story will be updated as officials release additional details.
