California’s Chapman U Evacuated Over ‘Possibly Armed Man’

Chapman University (Straticus77 / Facebook)
Straticus77 / Facebook

Orange County’s Chapman University was evacuated Tuesday and cleared Tuesday night following a report of a person “possibly” carrying a gun on campus.

California remains on alert after the December 2 terror attacks in San Bernardino, California.

Students in some areas at the Orange County campus were told to shelter in place, and an evacuation order was given to others, according to NBC4 Los Angeles. The threat was described by the Department of Public Safety as a “possibly armed man” spotted near campus.

Chapman University issued the following statement to Breitbart News following the event:

Chapman University is relieved that, in the wake of a reported possible gunman on campus, and a thorough investigation and search by Orange Police Department and campus Public Safety, no threat was found. After an hour-long search with no suspect found, the law enforcement agencies declared that the campus could resume normal operations. Chapman University takes such threats very seriously, especially in light of recent events in California and around the world. All departments involved in investigating and messaging this threat followed the protocol established in Chapman University’s ongoing emergency operations drills and exercises. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority at all times. Our thanks to Orange Police Department for their invaluable partnership in helping to keep our campus safe.

Also on Tuesday, all Los Angeles Unified Schools closed due to an e-mailed terror threat sent out on Monday evening. The same threat was received in New York, but was deemed not credible and schools were not closed.

San Bernardino Valley College was also closed Tuesday due to a Monday bomb threat that was deemed a hoax as of 6 p.m. Monday evening.

Chapman University student Sabrina Santoro told NBC4 that she was in the middle of a math final when “Everyone’s phones started going off and buzzing.”

The description of the “possibly armed man” provided by the university was a man with short, black hair, “25 to 30 years old, 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds” wearing a red, yellow and orange colored sweater. According to the NBC report, the threat was cleared after about an hour.

Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana

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