News Summary
The University of Massachusetts Boston has announced an all-clear after a police response was triggered by an unconfirmed report of a shooting. The incident, which began in the afternoon, led to substantial police presence and prompted the university to instruct students and staff to remain indoors while investigations were conducted. No injuries were reported, and authorities have since assured the community that there is no ongoing threat. Classes were canceled for the day, as the campus aims to support students returning to normalcy.
Boston – The University of Massachusetts Boston has declared an all-clear following an extensive police response prompted by an unconfirmed report of a shooting on Thursday, September 11. The situation began around 3:40 p.m., leading to significant police presence and heightened security on campus.
Initial communications on X (formerly Twitter) indicated a “police incident” at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Subsequent alerts specified that the threat was centered around the Residence Hall East building. In response to the reported threat, the university instructed students and staff via text message to remain inside their dorms and not to open doors unless it was the police.
In response to the threat, both the Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police sent multiple law enforcement units to the scene. Officers arrived with weapons drawn and conducted searches of the buildings. Despite the extensive investigation, no confirmation of gunfire or individuals with firearms was found. A few hours later, authorities announced that the campus was deemed safe.
The university reported no injuries from the incident and affirmed that there was no ongoing threat to the community. However, classes and activities were canceled for the remainder of Thursday, with plans to resume the following morning. UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco expressed appreciation for the cooperation and patience shown by students during the tense situation.
While the investigation continues, police have requested any information from those who may have witnessed the events unfold. Reports indicated that many students felt a sense of fear and confusion, with some students barricading themselves in rooms or seeking refuge elsewhere on campus. The incident contributed to growing anxiety among students, many of whom expressed that such frightening occurrences should not be a standard part of their college experience.
The incident at UMass Boston follows recent similar instances at other colleges. Notably, UMass Lowell experienced a lockdown due to reports of an individual with what was later confirmed to be an airsoft rifle. Additionally, several unfounded reports of shootings occurred at various college campuses across the nation on the same day, increasing concerns about safety in educational settings.
The timing of this incident coincided with the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, which heightened feelings of fear and vigilance within the campus community. University officials encourage students to take care of their mental well-being during these stressful times.
As the campus community processes the day’s events, UMass Boston aims to ensure a supportive environment as students return to normalcy in their academic routines.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: University of Massachusetts Boston
- Western Mass News
- Google Search: UMass Boston shooting reported
- MassLive
- Google Scholar: UMass Boston shooting
- WCVB
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shooting
- The Hill
- Google News: UMass Boston incident
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BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
