FALSE ALARM: Active Shooter Reported at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - Campus on Lockdown

ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORTED - POLICE HAVE YET TO CONFIRM - No reports of injuries

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) was placed on lockdown Thursday morning following reports of a possible active shooter on campus, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement and emergency services. The incident, which began unfolding around 9:47 a.m. PDT, has led to heightened alert across the university as students, faculty, and staff were urged to shelter in place.According to posts on X, UTC issued an emergency alert to its campus community, instructing individuals to "Run, Hide, Fight" in response to the reported threat.

The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) and Tennessee Homeland Security are on the scene, actively investigating the situation. Authorities have advised the public to avoid the UTC campus until further notice, as stated in a post by the CPD at 9:53 a.m. PDT.

Eyewitness accounts shared on social media indicate a significant police presence, with reports of "masses of cop cars" heading toward downtown Chattanooga. Students have been seen evacuating key campus buildings, including the university library, as law enforcement conducts a thorough sweep of the area. No official confirmation of gunfire or injuries has been reported at this time, and the credibility of the threat remains under investigation.

The university’s alert system, UTC-ALERT, has been actively communicating with students and staff, emphasizing the importance of remaining indoors and securing doors until an "all clear" is issued. The situation has drawn comparisons to a previous incident at Chattanooga State Community College on August 29, 2024, where a reported active shooter threat was later determined to be a hoax after a three-hour lockdown. That event involved a caller demanding payment and threatening to harm students, though no credible threat was found.

UTC, a public university with approximately 11,000 students, has established protocols for such emergencies, as outlined on its website. These guidelines advise individuals to barricade doors, stay out of sight, and evacuate only if the shooter’s location is known and a clear path to an exit is available. The university’s Campus Police, in coordination with the Chattanooga Police Department, are leading the response efforts.

As the investigation continues, the campus remains on high alert, with classes likely canceled for the remainder of the day, following a similar pattern seen in past regional incidents. Counseling services are expected to be made available to support students and staff affected by the lockdown.

Local authorities have promised to provide updates as more information becomes available. For now, the UTC community and the public are urged to stay vigilant and await official confirmation that the campus is safe.

Active shooter triggers lockdown at University of Tennessee in Chattanooga

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