Report of gunman on BSU campus leads to lockdown

MUNCIE —Police and Ball State University responded Thursday evening to reports of a gunman on campus, but after a lockdown of nearly two hours, no gunman was found and students were allowed to return to normal activities.

BSU issued an emergency notification around 8:27 p.m. Thursday after a man with a gun was reported on campus near DeHorty/Woodworth Halls on Riverside Avenue. The alert said to avoid the area and shelter in place.

The university tweeted shortly after 10 p.m. that the "shelter in place" had been lifted, that there was no ongoing threat and the university police would continue to investigate. The all clear was given a few minutes later.

University spokesperson Joan Todd told The Star Press at 9:18 p.m. that the description of the primary suspect was a white male with short hair, age 18-22, wearing a black long-sleeve T-shirt, brown cargo shorts, black socks and shoes. That individual is believed to have been carrying the gun. Another description previously mentioned as the primary suspect -- a white male wearing a pink shirt with gray stripes and khaki shorts was accompanying the primary suspect.

Todd said the gun was spotted "on the small of his back."

When asked if the male made threats with the gun, she said she had no further information.

Around noon on Friday, Todd declined to answer any questions about the status of the investigation, including whether the report of the armed man was confirmed or determined to be mistaken and whether the incident was captured on security video.

"All I have is it's still under investigation," she said, adding that neither Alan Hargrave, director of housing and residence life as well as the leader of the school's crisis management team, nor Jim Duckham, director of public safety, would be allowed to comment.

When Muncie Police Department officials were contacted by The Star Press just after 9 p.m., they confirmed they were assisting BSU police in the search of Woodworth Hall. Indiana State Police was also spotted on the scene shortly before 9:30.

City police said they were told a witness reported seeing a person with what appeared to be a holstered gun enter Woodworth.

The man reportedly did not remove the firearm from the holster or make threatening comments, MPD officials said.

Earlier this evening, emergency scanner traffic seemed to indicate the report of a gunman came from a single witness.

University Police and Muncie Police are searching Woodworth Hall, a three-story building with a basement, for the subject.

Indiana State Police arrived on the scene at 9:25 p.m.