ALERT USF TAMPA: Possible Armed Subject near Northwest corner of campus. Urgent alert. Avoid area. Emergency personnel responding.
Scary reports of an armed man on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa prompted a brief lockdown on the afternoon of March 21. The alert came via the school’s official Twitter account just after 2 p.m.
The lockdown ended just before 2:30 p.m. after an all-clear was given.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Nobody Was Hurt
USF update: “No confirmation of a possible armed subject. Unless additional information develops, there will be no further communication”
There were no reports of any shots fired or persons injured. Fox Tampa reports that USF police received a report about man carrying a rifle on the school’s campus.
2. The Apparent Suspect Was a Black Man in a Trench Coat
(USF Tampa)
An alert on the school’s website describes the suspect as being “Black Male, Early 30’s, Tan Trench Coat, Green Hat. Avoid area.” The search for the alleged gunman is centered around the north west area of the campus.
3. There Was a Massive Police Response to the School
An overview of the Tampa campus. (Wikipedia)
WFLA reports that Tampa police arrived at the scene en masse shortly after the alert came through.
4. There Are 41,000 Students at USF
There are 41,000 students enrolled at the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. It’s the only school within the USF system that grants doctorates.
5. The School’s President Is Judy Genshaft
The school’s president is Judy Genshaft. The Ohio native has been in the role since July 2000, previously she held administrative positions at the University of Albany as well as at Ohio State University.