Update 2: University officials have given the “all clear” and confirmed that the report of a shooter was a hoax resembling other “swatting” incidents nationwide.
The initial hoax report shared similar characteristics with other swatting incidents occurring nationwide. By utilizing campus security cameras, combined with the quick response from officers scouring the area, UGA Police were able to verify that there was no active threat. An all-clear update was issued to campus at 10:40 p.m.
We strongly condemn hoax reports and swatting attempts. These false reports cause unnecessary fear and divert critical emergency resources. Making such a false report is not a harmless prank—it is a dangerous and unlawful act.
The University of Georgia will continue to investigate this incident in cooperation with state and federal law enforcement, and we urge anyone with information about this crime to report it immediately to law enforcement by contacting UGA Police at 706-542-5813.
Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our campus community. Student Care and Outreach members are offering support to those at the library and have additional counselors available to assist students affected by this trauma. Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is also available 24/7 and able to assist students. UGA employees may access counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program available 24/7.
Update: After police searched the area, evidence suggests that a Friday night report of an armed shooter at the UGA Main Library was a hoax.
“At approximately 8:45 pm the UGA Police Department Communications Center received a call of a shooter in the area of the UGA Library,” according to a statement from Rod Guajardo, assistant to President Jere Morehead and university spokesperson. “Officers quickly responded and searched the area. A preliminary investigation suggests the event was a hoax, but officers remain in the vicinity to investigate and collect information. Please stay away from the area.
“We will provide additional updates as soon as they are available.”
Athens-Clarke County police also confirmed that there was no evidence of an active shooter: “ACCPD is assisting UGAPD in response to reports of an active shooter on campus. At this time there does not appear to be evidence of an active shooter. Officers and working diligently with UGAPD, and other agencies to ensure the safety of students and the community.”
While there is no information yet on whoever called in the report of an armed shooter at UGA, WIRED reported earlier this week on a “nihilistic” online group called Purgatory that has been calling in false shooting reports in order to provoke an armed police response. Recent targets included the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Villanova University in Philadelphia, among others.
Such hoaxes, known as “swatting” because Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams frequently respond to calls about active shooters, often originate overseas or are made using artificial intelligence, making them difficult to trace, according to Axios.
Similar hoaxes prompted lockdowns at Central Georgia Technical College, Mercer University and Rutland High School in Macon, prompting the FBI and GBI to investigate.
Original Story: The University of Georgia issued an emergency alert at 8:51 p.m. about an “armed shooter” at the Main Library on North Campus urging people to avoid the area.
The university said that first responders are on the scene. No other information is known, including whether any shots were fired or whether anyone has been injured or killed.
Just two days ago, a shooter killed two children and injured 18 other people attending church services at a Minneapolis Catholic school.
However, Fox 5 raised the possibility that the report at UGA may be a hoax. The FBI’s Atlanta office recently announced an investigation into false reports of school shootings, including recent incidents at Central Georgia Technical College and Mercer University in Macon, as well as high schools, colleges and universities around the country. Those hoaxes may be linked, according to law enforcement officials.
Flagpole will update this post when more information becomes available.
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