BREAKING: Univ. of Oklahoma says there is no evidence of shots fired and no injuries reported on campus.
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 22, 2014
A shooting was reported on the Norman campus of the University of Oklahoma. Police received reports of shots fired at around 11:17 a.m. but now believe that the sounds heard might have been the result of an as-of-yet unexplained noise or “equipment backfiring” and not a shooting.
Normal campus operations have resumed with the exception of Gould Hall.
Here is what we know:
1. Students Were Instructed to Avoid Gould Hall
(Instagram/mrcameronsmith)
A text message was sent out to students at around 11:30 a.m. that said: “OU Emergency: Shooting on campus. Avoid (Gould Hall). Seek immediate shelter in place.”
Gould Hall is the architecture building and is on the south side of campus, according to local news outlet news9. The building is close to the football stadium.
2. Police Arrived at the Scene
Police arrive at the University of Oklahoma after shooting reported #UniversityOfOklahoma #OUshooting pic.twitter.com/bZmE7kPybo
— Amanda Li (@ZestyLemur) January 22, 2014
Police were called to the campus around 11:30 p.m. and they are currently on the scene. Multiple police officers can been seen in photographs patrolling the campus with large rifles.
It is now being reported that the police did not find something after they entered Gould Hall.
President Boren just came and spoke to our class. Said it might've been a backfire of equipment because police found nothing in Gould Hall.
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) January 22, 2014
3. The ‘Shelter in Place’ has Been Lifted
Staff in OU Student Media offices in Copeland Hall reported hearing two shots.
— OU Daily (@OUDaily) January 22, 2014
Students received text messages to shelter in place. Witnesses nearby reported hearing two bangs that sounded like gunshots, but now there does not appear evidence that these were gunshots.
The “Shelter in Place” was lifted and campus operations have returned to normal, according to the university’s Twitter account. The only exception to this is Gould Hall, which is still to be avoided.
Normal campus operations have resumed except for Gould Hall where additional checking is continuing.
— OU Sooners (@UofOklahoma) January 22, 2014
4. This Comes One Day After a Shooting at Purdue University
This report lands on an already jumpy and grieving mid-west just one day after one student was shot to death at Purdue University in Indiana.
5. There are Around 30,000 Students on Campus
No new info at this time. Remain sheltered in place.
— OU Sooners (@UofOklahoma) January 22, 2014