Gunman Arrested at Arkansas State University, Campus Placed on Lockdown
The Arkansas State University campus was placed on lockdown on Sunday afternoon, after reports of one or more armed men seen on the campus.
Two males with weapons reported near the Student Union. Lockdown immediately until further notice.
— Arkansas State (@ArkansasState) February 14, 2016
Report: The possible three males all wearing black were last seen walking north near Dean St.
— Arkansas State (@ArkansasState) February 14, 2016
At least one student tweeted about the incident as it happened:
JUST HAD TO SPRINT FROM THE UNION!! THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH GUNS AGAIN SO EVERYONE BE SAFE!!!!!
— Han (@HannahRose30) February 14, 2016
CBS reports that the men were seen near the school’s Student Union building.
The university tweeted that the lockdown had been lifted on Sunday afternoon; we will update this post when more information becomes available.
The campus lockdown has been lifted. A-State will resume normal operations.
— Arkansas State (@ArkansasState) February 14, 2016
Update - KAIT News reports that the incident was actually triggered by a group of students who were filming a video that involved costumed students playing gunmen. From a statement released by the university:
Apparently students were filming a video project near the Union, and costumed actors were reported as possible campus intruders. These students have been located and interviewed by University Police Officers. As a result, it has been confirmed that there was no gunman.