University of North Carolina on LOCKDOWN amid active shooter alert - 2 confirmed DEAD
NORTH CAROLINA university was put on lockdown on Tuesday following reports of an active shooter on the campus.
North Carolina: University chancellor responds to shooting
Two people have been confirmed dead following an active shooter situation in Charlotte. Police and emergency services were on the scene. The suspect, reportedly a 22-year-old male student, is now in custody. A university spokesperson said: “Shots have been reported in the area of Kennedy. The campus is in lockdown. Secure yourself immediately and remain there until further notice.”
The university said on Twitter: ”Run, Hide, Fight. Secure yourself immediately.”
The university issued an "active assailant" message on its website announcing that the campus was on lockdown and that students and staff should "remain in a safe location."
Local WSCO-TV in Charlotte reported that three people were wounded in the gunfire that erupted at about 5:45 p.m. near the university's Kennedy Hall administrative building, and that one person had been taken into custody.
Videos shared on social media show university students being evacuated from the campus.
Further footage showed the students with their hands on their heads.
Police officers were seen running towards the building during the evacuation.
The campus was reportedly about to host a concert at the school’s football stadium at the time of the shooting.
The police department set up a media staging area near the school, which enrolls nearly 30,000 students.
The shooting follows an attack at a Charlotte high school last October.
A fight between two students at Butler High resulted in a fatal shooting.
Sophomore Bobby McKeithen, 16, died while freshman Jatwan Craig Cuffie, 16, was charged with first-degree murder.
Superintendent Clayton Wilcox told the Charlotte Observer it “began with bullying that escalated out of control, and as fear took over a young person brought a gun to solve the problem.”