FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KATV) — The University of Arkansas campus was thrust into chaos following a series of false active shooter reports that led to a massive law enforcement response and the cancellation of classes on Monday.
Chancellor Charles F. Robinson expressed gratitude to the University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) and other law enforcement agencies for their swift action in ensuring campus safety.
“I want to express my gratitude to UAPD and the many other law enforcement agencies, as well as faculty and staff, who responded quickly to help ensure our campus was safe,” Robinson said/
According to officials, the initial calls came in at 12:24 p.m. when UAPD received a 911 call reporting an active shooting at Mullins Library. The call, later determined to be a hoax, included sounds of gunfire.
A RazALERT message was sent to the campus at 12:27 p.m. During the next two hours, UAPD received more than 300 additional calls and nearly 40 reports to 911 regarding alleged incidents or threats at seven different university buildings.
“Thankfully, there were no physical injuries, but it was certainly a harrowing experience for everyone on campus as well as for our families and friends,” Robinson said.
Police responded to each report, searching every floor of the buildings until they confirmed there was no credible evidence of any active threats. A final RazALERT message was sent at 2:45 p.m., confirming the emergency situation had concluded.
Classes were canceled for the remainder of the day, though essential campus services, including mental health support, remained available.
Counseling services through CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) are being offered to students, faculty, and staff.
Robinson encouraged the campus community to download the SafeZone app, which connects users directly to UAPD and allows them to share their location during emergencies. He also acknowledged the support from state officials and assured that authorities are investigating the false reports.
“I’m encouraged by the way our campus community responded to this situation and how I know we will continue to support each other,” he said. “We will use these events to learn how to make our campus safer in the future.”
