Panic Ensues At UCF Around Tower 1 After Student Seen Carrying BB Gun On Campus Alerts Police
By Space Coast Daily // July 27, 2019
situation resolved safely
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.
We are happy that this situation was resolved peacefully. We’ll learn from it, and we’ll do better.
Stay safe, Knights. https://t.co/fnd6hDrqU0
— UCF Police Dept. (@UCFPolice) July 27, 2019
A message from @UCFChiefMetzger about tonight’s incident at Tower 1.
A reminder that no call is too small for UCFPD to care about. If you see something, say something. pic.twitter.com/8AgHrZlhit
— UCF Police Dept. (@UCFPolice) July 27, 2019
This is a picture of the BB gun that led to the report at Tower 1.
We’re grateful for the Knight who saw something and said something, and we’re happy the situation was peacefully resolved. pic.twitter.com/avJBJYFTKD
— UCF Police Dept. (@UCFPolice) July 27, 2019
We understand that words matter. In a situation with heightened stress, we made a poor choice in our initial language.
We know this caused undue panic and stress by those we serve and protect, and for that we apologize. https://t.co/NAigCKl5B0
— UCF Police Dept. (@UCFPolice) July 27, 2019
UPDATE from #UCF Alert https://t.co/Ba8z6yblPD
— UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) July 27, 2019
We are working to find out more about the UCF Alert. Send tips if you have more information. pic.twitter.com/2KYU83IfIX
— UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) July 27, 2019
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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