Sparse reports coming in thus far, but a number of news agencies have reported a lockdown at the Ohio State University and warnings from law enforcement of an active-shooter situation. Their “Buckeye Alerts” have instructed students to “shelter in place,” but also to “Run Hide Fight”:
BREAKING: Ohio State University sends out alert about possible active shooter on campus https://t.co/ph6QRKVBJ5 pic.twitter.com/RNcQua5rO7
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 28, 2016
DEVELOPING: Ohio State University reports “active shooter” on campus, urges people to “Run Hide Fight.” https://t.co/qEm78mNu63 pic.twitter.com/uhJVDqLOEW
— ABC News (@ABC) November 28, 2016
CBS’ live coverage shows police announcing the active-shooter status over loudspeakers. They have just sent a K-9 team into a parking garage, but there isn’t any indication for what specifically they are searching.
Update: Here’s the live coverage. Please remember that first reports are often in error:
WATCH LIVE: Reporting from the ground of Ohio State University, where an active shooter has been reported on campus https://t.co/ph6QRKE0Rx pic.twitter.com/I3vKf5N98d
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 28, 2016
Update: Governor John Kasich urges people to listen to law enforcement:
Ohio's thoughts and prayers go out to the Ohio State community. Be safe, listen to first responders. https://t.co/5qtfH3Fb6d
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) November 28, 2016
Update: According to this student, the lockdown is in place:
https://twitter.com/NickFrankowski/status/803262053976866816
CBS’ live coverage just reported that at least one witness reported multiple shots and seeing at least one wounded person.
Update: NBC News reports that an OSU spokesman says 7 people have been transported to hospitals:
7 transported to hospitals in shooting at Ohio State's main campus, Columbus fire spokesperson says – NBC News https://t.co/CCkCRLzGsD
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) November 28, 2016
CBS says one person is in critical condition, and one suspect has been shot and presumed dead.
Update: Here’s NBC on the announcement on seven people headed to hospitals:
Columbus Fire Department: Seven taken to hospitals from Ohio State University https://t.co/Jmr0tUrxqH
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 28, 2016
ABC reports that the FBI is now on scene at OSU. That seems like standard operating procedure; they’d want to be on hand to consult. They’d take it over later if this had other implications such as terrorism, but we shouldn’t presume that to be the case merely by their presence now.
Update: CBS now reports nine people have been hospitalized, with eight in stable condition.
Update: Smart move here:
PHOTO: Students barricade door to classroom amid incident at Ohio State University. https://t.co/KGuP6ey7OI pic.twitter.com/RFWdypDjCt
— ABC News (@ABC) November 28, 2016
Update: The ATF is also coming to the scene.
Also, let this serve as a reminder to refrain from getting ahead of the story:
FYI, idiots claiming seeing a "body bag" at #OhioState are actually seeing a lawn & leaf bag, according to PD scanner.
— Bob Owens (@bob_owens) November 28, 2016
Update: CBS now reports that it began with a red SUV crashing into a building, and that a knife attack also took place. If that’s true, then it’s pretty clear why they’re still looking for a potential accomplice. Be mindful that sometimes these reports can be in error, although the reporter says she got that information from a “high ranking” source within the police department.
Update: Same reporter says the police believe that there are at least two attackers. The local CBS affiliate now reports that two people have been arrested in the parking garage where K-9 units were searching.
Update: The same CBS affiliate says that police are warning people not to jump to conclusions on the arrests. They will arrest anyone whom they encounter on these searches until they have verified that all potential suspects are in custody.
Update: First response came from a fire alarm being generated from a manual-pull device on campus at 9:39 am. Smart move by a quick-thinking student.
Update: NBC’s Columbus affiliate reports that one suspect has been killed.
Update: The local CBS reporter says that police are still looking for a second suspect. However, they just lifted the “shelter in place” at 11:30 am, so they may believe that a potential suspect has been isolated in the garage that police have surrounded.
UPDATE 1/2 : Shelter in Place lifted. Scene is now secure. ALL classes are canceled on Columbus campus for the remainder of the day.
— OSU Emergency Mngmnt (@OSU_EMFP) November 28, 2016
Some buildings and areas remain closed, though. That would include that parking garage.
Update: One witness tells the local CBS affiliate that he never heard any shots fired, but that people were injured by the car.
Update: SWAT teams just entered the garage again, 10TV reported at 11:51 am.
Update: The SWAT team has cleared the garage. Police are now refusing to say whether a second suspect is being sought.
Update: OSU’s Department of Public Safety issued a statement that has one curious omission:
12:21 p.m.
Ohio State University Police and local law enforcement continue to respond to a public safety incident on Ohio State’s campus. A suspect has been shot and reported deceased. Victim injuries include stab wounds, injury by motor vehicle and other injuries that are being evaluated. At the recommendation of law enforcement, campus alerts for shelter in place have been lifted. Campus remains open during the continued investigation, although classes have been canceled for the remainder of the day. Facts are still being verified. We will hold a media briefing as soon as we are able. The university will continue to share information through Buckeye Alert and emergency.osu.edu. Our top priority remains the safety and security of our campus community. Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured and their families.
The one thing missing is any mention of gunshot wounds. That may still be the case, but so far it looks like the attack involved just the car and a cutting weapon. That would jibe with the witness interviewed on television, noted earlier. Also, local TV reports that the two arrested in the garage have been cleared.
Update: OSU president Michael Drake cites only the vehicle and a cutting weapon as causes of injuries. The law-enforcement representative says that the OSU police reported shots fired, but it’s still unclear whether the suspect had a gun. “We do believe that the threat ended when the officer engaged the suspect,” she concluded.
We’ll close this out for now. When we get more information on the perp, we’ll write it up in a new post.
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