Panic Ensues At UCF Around Tower 1 After Student Seen Carrying BB Gun On Campus Alerts Police

By  //  July 27, 2019

situation resolved safely

UCF students got a scare Friday night after officials sent out a tweet for students to “Shelter in Place” after a report came in about “an individual seen carrying a firearm into Tower 1” on UCF’s campus.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – UCF students got a scare Friday night after officials sent out a tweet for students to “Shelter in Place” after a report came in about “an individual seen carrying a firearm into Tower 1” on UCF’s campus. 

The report resulted in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to be called to the scene of West Plaza Drive in the UCF area on a “mutual aid” call, according to UCF Knight News.

According to a UCF Knight News tweet, a “Shelter in Place” alert was issued about 11:30 p.m. for those in the area of Tower 1 and urged people to seek shelter immediately in the nearest building, away from door and windows.

The situation was peacefully resolved when authorities eventually made contact with the individual and discovered the “firearm”  was just a BB gun in the man’s waistband.

About an hour later, UCF Police tweeted out an apology for a “poor choice” in their “initial language” regarding the previous tweet and vowed to use the situation as a learning experience.

UCF authorities’ reaction upon being notified of a Lockdown or Shelter-In-Place activation includes:

  • Faculty and staff – Take charge and secure all buildings and rooms. Collect students that are in the local area and implement your lockdown and shelter-in-place plan. If you do not have a plan in place, secure your immediate area; find cover away from doors and windows; remain calm; silence cell phones; and wait for the “ALL CLEAR.”
  • Students – Do not panic; look and listen to your surroundings; go to the closest safe room or building; lock yourself into a room; or follow directions from staff and/or faculty. Some buildings may be locked; if so, find a safe location and stay put. DO NOT leave until the “ALL CLEAR” has been given. Call 911 only if you need help or have critical information to pass on.

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