Washington University in St. Louis issued an all-clear Tuesday morning after determining that reports of an armed person on its Danforth Campus were not credible, ending an hour-long shelter-in-place order that prompted a significant law enforcement response.
At 9:19 a.m., the university’s emergency alert system notified students and employees of a reported armed individual on campus. The message instructed those on the Danforth Campus to “Run, Hide, or Fight,” urging anyone indoors to lock or barricade themselves in a room until further notice. Individuals who were off campus were told to stay away as police began investigating the situation.
According to an 11:30 a.m. email from WashU Police Department Chief Angela Coonce, campus police received multiple calls reporting a person with a weapon near Brookings Hall. Officers quickly responded and began conducting a thorough search of the surrounding area and nearby buildings.
Law enforcement agencies from St. Louis, University City, and Clayton assisted in the response. Witnesses reported a heavy police presence around Brookings Hall and other central campus buildings, and a police helicopter was seen circling overhead as authorities worked to secure the area.
At 10:21 a.m., approximately one hour after the initial alert, the university issued an all-clear notification. Officials said police had completed their search of the Danforth Campus and determined there was no active threat. In her message to the campus community, Coonce said investigators now believe the reports “were not a credible threat” and explained that the university acted “out of an abundance of caution” to protect students, faculty, and staff.
Coonce added that the department will continue investigating the source of the reports and will pursue charges against anyone found responsible for intentionally making false claims.
Later in the morning, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Anna Gonzalez sent a message of support to students, acknowledging the stress such incidents can cause. She encouraged anyone experiencing lingering anxiety to seek assistance through campus resources, including the Center for Counseling & Psychological Services and TimelyCare.
University officials said normal campus activities could resume immediately. The situation remains under review, and updates will be provided if additional information becomes available.
