UPDATE: The Troy University Police Department has released what it believes caused this past weekend’s campus lockdown.
Police believe an individual holding a camera tripod with a gimbal attachment was mistakenly perceived to be holding a gun.
“Police have interviewed numerous witnesses and reviewed security camera feeds from a variety of locations on campus,” TUPD said in a Facebook post.
With the lockdown’s cause now confirmed, TUPD has ended its investigation. TUPD’s full post can be seen below.
ORIGINAL POST:
TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Newman residents witnessed what some are calling a scary sequence of events this past Saturday when a shelter-in-place lockdown was announced.
Just before 11:15 a.m. Saturday, the university sent the following message to Troy users.
“There is an active criminal situation that requires you to shelter in place. If possible, secure yourself inside a room or building. Further information will be sent out when possible. In the event you need emergency assistance, Call 911. If you are not on campus, please find a location off campus to remain until the shelter in place is lifted.”
According to Troy University Police Department (TUPD) Chief George Beaudry, the lockdown was ordered after authorities were called about a man with a gun.
“We received a 911 call over a report with a man with a gun in the area of the Newman 100 building,” Beaudry explained. “We initiated a lockdown and officers responded to the scene and by 11:13. A campus-wide lockdown had been initiated and officers arrived to investigate the situation. During the course of their investigation, they were unable to locate an armed suspect.”
Both TUPD and Troy Police Department officers responded to the scene. As officers investigated, Newman resident assistants urged students to stay in their rooms.
“I told them to listen to what the shelter-in-place lockdown alert said,” said Newman 100 Resident Assistant Olivia Jones.
The lockdown was lifted at 11:51 a.m. after authorities announced the scene was clear and no threat was present.
To stay updated on any potential dangers on campus, students are strongly advised to download the Omnilert app to receive alerts and updates.
