BREAKING NEWS: Shooting scare prompts UNCW safety alert overnight

Angela Hunt | Editor-in-Chief

 

Soon after UNCW police issued a safety alert based on reports of an attempted shooting and property theft near campus, a suspect was apprehended on campus and taken into custody. The suspect was not armed, and the university lifted the warning.

At 12:03a.m., UNCW police issued an email alert to students of an armed suspect on campus near Hurst Drive. The alert was based on reports of an attempted shooting and property theft at Campus Edge apartments, UNCW officials said.

The alert warned students to “Avoid this area if possible and use caution while traveling on campus. Take shelter in a secure location and stay away from windows and secure doors if concerned.”

Students reported receiving the warning by email, text, Twitter and phone call (click to enlarge graphic).

At 1:20a.m., UNCW issued an “all clear” message and lifted the warning based on information gathered during the investigation.

The email to students read: “Law enforcement officers have cleared the scene. The previous warning has been lifted.”

The suspects had reportedly fled onto UNCW’s main campus.

According to a UNCW statement, one suspect was apprehended and taken into custody on campus. The suspect was not carrying a weapon, the statement says. The stolen property, a scooter, was found at the Seahawk Square Apartment Complex, close to campus.

Further investigation by the Wilmington Police Department revealed that no shots were fired and no weapons displayed during the event, UNCW officials said.

There is an ongoing investigation by the Wilmington Police Department.

The university plans to proceed with the scheduled UNCW Alert test for noon today, Monday July 9.