Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Princeton reports 'all clear' to threats of a gunman on campus
By Daily Princetonian Staff and UWIRE
The Daily Princetonian, Princeton
June 03, 2009

Fears of a gunman on Princeton University's campus were calmed roughly 30 minutes after a warning was sent to students.

At 11:25 a.m. Princeton University's Department of Public Safety issued an all clear, and reported there was no gunman on campus, and campus community members should resume normal activities, the university's Web site stated. The university, Princeton Borough and Township police will continue to investigate, and the Department of Public Safety has re-opened the campus, the announcement stated.

Shortly before 11 a.m., a suspect with a handgun was reported near the Dod Hall dormitory in the middle of campus. The University issued an alert through the Princeton telephone and e-mail notification system just after 10:50 a.m. Warning messages went out via e-mail, text message and phone calls.

There are reports that law enforcement officers set up barricades near Witherspoon, Little and Dod Halls. Students and their families in Dod Hall were asked to leave the building, many students reported.

It is also unclear whether members of the Class of 2009 have already been taken off the notification system, as many of them have said they did not receive the alerts younger students did. Many seniors are still on campus moving out after Tuesday's commencement. There are reports that members of the incoming Class of 2013 also received the message.

[ Back to Student Voices ]