Suspect arrested after reports of gunman on campus sparked US college lockdown
A 17-YEAR-OLD suspect is in custody after a college in the US was placed on lockdown following reports of a gunman on campus.
Armed police and a SWAT team rushed to a college campus following reports of a gunman
Police and a SWAT team rushed to Philadelphia Community College following reports of a man pulling out a gun during a dispute with a student.
The main campus was immediately placed on lockdown.
Students were told to take shelter as police searched the area after a man armed with a gun was sighted entering a building after arguing with a student this morning.
Video footage from inside the school shows police leading a zip-tied man from a campus building.
Philadelphia Police confirmed that officers searched a building on campus after a sighting of a man with a gun was reported at around 9.30am local time.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said witnesses told officers that two men were arguing on the street outside a campus building before one of the men, believed to be a former student, pulled out a gun.
Mr Ramsey said the gunman was seen heading into a college building.
Police spokeswoman Tanya Little said no shots were fired and there were no reports of any injuries, but people are being asked to avoid the area.
Reports of gunman at Philadelphia Community College
It is understood police are conducted a room-by-room search of the community college's Winnet Building.
The suspect was found inside a classroom but was not armed. It is understood police are still searching for a weapon.
A nearby high school was also placed on lockdown.
Police were called to the campus after reports of a gunman
Witnesses said they saw a gunman entering a college building
Didn't attend school today because of the threat of a shooting and haven't heard any news yet other than the "beta uprising" #phillythreat
— Cindy Ngo (@xCindy_Ngo) October 5, 2015
Philadelphia Community College posted on Twitter: "Police Activity on Campus. Main campus is locked down at this point. Shelter in place in progress."
The reports come just days after a gunman shot dead nine people and injured nine others at a college in Oregon.
Colleges and universities in Philadelphia increased security following a FBI warning about an online posting threatening violence on Monday, according to Fox News.
Police Activity on Campus. Main campus is locked down at this point. Shelter in place in progress.
— CC of Philadelphia (@CCPedu) October 6, 2015
Our campus building had a security guard in the lobby and apparently cops passed by more often. But thankfully all for naught. #phillythreat
— Jenn (@MissImpulsive) October 5, 2015
Some students skipped lectures on Monday after news of the threat spread over social media.
Students took to Twitter to express relief when the threat appeared to be a hoax.