San Jose State University (SJSU) police received a report of a gunman on campus on Thursday, and locked down Sweeney Hall, but later lifted the lockdown. However, a search will continue for at least the next 24 hours.
Although police didn’t find anybody, they will continue looking.
“San Jose State police interviewed the student who reported the gunman and determined it was a credible threat,” SJSU spokeswoman Pat Lopes Harris told the Mercury News.
“We will stay very vigilant in the next 24 to 48 hours looking out for this individual.”
The university announced the end of the lockdown via Twitter at 11:03 a.m. PDT.
“A thorough search of Sweeney Hall did not reveal anything. Sweeney Hall is open for business. Resume normal activity.”
Earlier, police sent out a text alert to students at 9:22 a.m. saying: “Man with gun call - police checking Sweeney Hall - shelter in place.”
The university said via Twitter at 10:13 a.m. that university police received a report of a white male, wearing all black clothes, with a possible handgun in Sweeney Hall.
“Sweeney Hall shelter in place, others stay out of area, rest of campus open,” the university said.
Jonathan Aguayo, a student, told NBC that that he saw the man, and that it appeared that the man was carrying a rifle.
Ashliegh Nikol, another student, told NBC that three police officers came into her class she inside Sweeney Hall with guns drawn. One of the officers told the professor that they were “looking for a guy with a gun,” and that everyone should stay in the class until the alert says they can leave.
Around 10:30 a.m., an unidentified NBC photographer said that he or she witnessed police detaining a man in a black coat, but police later released him.
The university posted several times to Twitter during the situation but didn’t post any information on its website or Facebook page.
Story developing; check back for updates.
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