SALT LAKE CITY — A "disruptive situation" overnight at a dorm building on the University of Utah campus somehow ignited false rumors that there was an active shooter in the area.
Officers responded to the situation Sunday around 1 a.m. at Sage Point residence halls, according to an update from the university's police department.
"Misinformation has since spread to indicate this was an active shooter scenario," the announcement read. "To be clear, this incident was NOT an active shooter situation."
In a later update, The University of Utah stated that an intoxicated male student entered Building 813 and began banging on what he thought was his friend's suite door.
When nobody opened the door, the male threatened to harm the residents with a knife and a gun.
While residents called authorities, another male resident, who later told police he had a concealed weapon permit and a gun in a hip holster, decided to respond to the situation, university leaders explained.
Police detained both males for questioning and referred the student who made threatening statements to the Dean of Students for discipline, university officials said.
Officials later confirmed that the student who made threatening statements had neither a gun nor a knife in his possession.
The responding police officers determined that there was no threat to the community. They then went door-to-door to make sure all residents were safe.
"While there was no threat to campus, we recognize the situation was traumatic and we apologize for the delay in timely communication about the situation. We encourage you to reach out to your Resident Assistant with any additional concerns or questions," the university's statement read. "We encourage all residents to continue to contact the police whenever needed."
A spokesperson for the U assured that if there was indeed an active shooter or another threat to public safety on campus, they would have sent a push alert to students' mobile phones.
Students and parents have since expressed frustration about the way information was communicated regarding the incident and university leaders said they will work to develop a "more timely communication pathway" for the future.
This incident occurred just one day after a shooting at an off-campus student housing complex near Utah Valley University in Orem, in which two victims were shot but are expected to fully recover. And just a few days prior, an unattended bag at the University of Utah Hospital caused a bomb scare, which ended up not posing any danger to the public.
