Update (2:33 p.m., Oct. 17): Howard University president has canceled classes for the rest of the day but confirmed that homecoming is still on. According to NBC Washington, D.C. police lifted the lockdown in the area after finding no threat or evidence of an active shooter on campus.
"We have found no evidence, no witnesses that there was a shooting on our campus," Howard police chief says. LIVE: https://t.co/EU6DmuKTlj
— NBCWashington (@nbcwashington) October 17, 2017
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Original Report
Just a mere couple weeks after the tragic Las Vegas shooting, there appears to be another high alert incident. And less than two weeks ago, a racist man threatened to kill Howard students. Homecoming is nearing, but unfortunately, something has halted that joy.
According to NBC Washington, D.C. police are investigating an anonymous report of an active shooter at Howard University, with the help of the FBI. The university was "anonymously notified of a potential shooter on campus" and at the time of this article, there hasn't been one confirmed yet. Naturally, though, D.C. police began their investigation immediately noting, "We took the call seriously and police are investigating."
The HBCU took to Twitter this morning with its most recent updates:
This afternoon, we were anonymously notified of a potential shooter on campus. We took the call seriously and police are investigating.— Howard University (@HowardU) October 17, 2017
Because the safety of our students and staff are our number one priority, the Admin Bldg has been evacuated.— Howard University (@HowardU) October 17, 2017
Police are currently conducting a sweep of campus. All students & staff should stay in place & shelter in place until further notification— Howard University (@HowardU) October 17, 2017
Minutes after publicly confirming the investigation, they sent students a text alert that read, "ALERT!! There is a report of an ARMED person throughout the campus shelter in place while police investigate."
Along with evacuation of the administrative building, people were advised to take precautions and shelter in place. "I just hope nobody's hurt," said one student.
We'll, of course, keep you posted on any further updates.