Denison University in Granville, Ohio, is on lockdown after reports of multiple gunmen on campus, reports NBC 4.
We are under a campus wide lockdown. All people are urged to stay inside the building they are currently in due to a possible threat.
— Denison University (@DenisonU) September 3, 2014
Here’s what we know so far:
1. Cops are Looking For a Black, Customized Jeep
Denison University’s famed observatory and chapel. (Wikipedia)
The Columbus Dispatch reports that police are searching for a black jeep that is customized. The paper say there a “possibly” five men in it. The Dispatch further reports that Granville police have called in the Licking County sheriff’s department and the Ohio Highway Patrol to help police the situation.
2. There are No Reported Casualties
All entrances to Denison and Granville schools are shut down due to possible shooter. #nanow pic.twitter.com/R3ztJmDdyG
— Jessica Phelps (@JessicaPhelps30) September 3, 2014
We have no reports of shots fired or persons injured. The college campus and schools around it in the Granville, Ohio, area have been locked down. NBC 4 reports that college officials do not believe there is an “immediate threat.”
3. Somebody Called in a Threat
A threat was made to the college by phone threat at 1:46 p.m. Central standard time.
1/2 Phone threat to safety of campus has been received. While we do not know if this is a legitimate threat, we are treating it as serious.
— Denison University (@DenisonU) September 3, 2014
2/2 For next 60 minutes, shelter in place: remain where you are and do not leave the building you are in. Perimeter of campus is secure.
— Denison University (@DenisonU) September 3, 2014
Granville fire chief Jeff Hussey told the Granville Sentinel’s Charles Peterson that there was an “act of violence” threatened. The chief also told Peterson that there were other threats made against schools in the area.
4. Cops Aren’t Saying if the Threat Is Legit
Lockdown @ Denison University = class bonding in East Asian History pic.twitter.com/7d2NdFNaZ2
— Casey P. (@pillowcasey58) September 3, 2014
The Newark Advocate in Ohio reports that police are trying to determine if the threat is legit.
5. Denison Has Around 2,000 Students
Denison is private liberal arts college that has over 2,000 students. It’s Ohio’s second-oldest liberal arts school. The school is located around 30 miles east of Columbus, Ohio.
In 2008, the students and staff at the school were honored by the State of Ohio for “promoting understanding, racial unity and the appearance of diversity.”
