News Summary
A potential shooting incident at UMass Boston prompted a police investigation and campus alerts, but no evidence of gunfire or injuries was found. Initial reports of a man with a firearm near Residence Hall East led to heightened security alerts. While local media reported possible shots fired, authorities confirmed that no shots were fired and no victims were reported. The university canceled classes for the evening and organized counseling services for affected students. The incident follows ongoing security concerns across universities.
Boston, MA — Police Investigate Unconfirmed Shooting Reports at UMass Boston
A potential shooting incident at UMass Boston caused significant alert on campus Thursday afternoon, but police have since confirmed that there is no evidence of gunfire or injuries. Initial reports indicated that a man was seen with what appeared to be a gun near Residence Hall East around 4:00 PM local time, leading to a police response and campus alerts urging students and staff to avoid the area.
The situation escalated when local media reported possible shots fired near 240 Morrissey Boulevard shortly before 3:45 PM. Massachusetts State Police deployed troopers to investigate the unconfirmed reports, with the UMass Boston police issuing alerts on social media regarding a public safety threat.
Officials quickly communicated to the campus community to steer clear of the area while promising further information would be provided. Concurrently, a photo circulated online showing a man carrying what appeared to be a firearm alongside students, which added to the urgency of the situation.
Details of the Incident
Authorities confirmed that numerous calls related to swatting incidents were received throughout Boston. However, police clarified that no shots were ever fired, and no victims were reported during the ensuing investigation. At the same time, UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco indicated that while there were reports of shots being fired, no physical evidence supporting these claims was found.
In light of the potential threat, all classes and campus activities were canceled for the evening as a precaution. Following thorough investigations, officials stated that campus activities would resume the following morning. Local businesses were also instructed to implement lockdown procedures until the area was deemed safe.
Students described chaotic scenes in the aftermath, with some recalling armed officers ordering evacuations and instructing them to exit buildings with their hands raised. Many students reported feeling unsafe and chose to barricade themselves inside their rooms until the situation was resolved.
Support for Affected Students
The university is providing counseling services for students adversely affected by the incident. Police from Boston and Massachusetts State have since cleared the area and confirmed that there was no lingering threat, assuring students and faculty that safety was restored.
Context and Ongoing Investigation
This unsettling incident follows heightened security concerns across various universities after a recent shooting involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. UMass Boston, which has an enrollment of approximately 15,575 students as of Fall 2024, remains committed to ensuring the safety of its communities during this time of concern.
The investigation into the reported incident is ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone with information to contact UMass Boston police. Despite the scare, officials are relieved that no harm came to students or staff on campus.
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Additional Resources
- Boston 25 News
- Wikipedia: University of Massachusetts Boston
- CBS News
- Google Search: UMass Boston shooting incident
- WCVB News
- Google News: UMass Boston shooting
- NBC Boston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Massachusetts Boston
- Boston Herald
- Google Scholar: UMass Boston shooting
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