College on lockdown as police swoop after terrifying 'gunman' reports
Mohawk Valley Community College is on lockdown as police respond to terrifying reports of a gunman on campus.
The college sent an emergency alert to students on its Utica Campus in New York at around 8.45am on Tuesday morning, which placed everyone in lockdown. "This is not a drill," the message to campus read. "Barricade yourself in classrooms or offices immediately. There is an immediate threat on campus."
In an update, Utica Police Department said: "Metro SWAT along with members of the Utica Police Department, Oneida County Sheriff Office, New York State Police, and MVCC Security are currently in the process of clearing each building on the MVCC campus. At this point there is no threat that has been located on campus."
According to authorities, a call was placed at 8.38am after a "menacing in progress" report at Butterfield Residence Hall. Cops have blocked off the main entrance to the college. Cops said there is not an active shooter on campus but they are continuing to search.
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The Utica Police Department previously said on Twitter: "The Utica Police Department and Mohawk Valley Community College are currently investigating a report of a person with a gun on campus. The campus is currently on a lockdown situation. There is not an active shooter on campus. Additional details will be released soon."
Due to the lockdown, the Oneida County Board of Elections said the polling place located at the Mohawk Valley Community College campus is being relocated to Utica Fire Department Station 3.
In a statement it said: "The Oneida County Board of Elections is taking immediate action to ensure the continuity of our democratic process in response to an unforeseen emergency. As a result of an emergency lockdown, the polling site originally designated at Mohawk Valley Community College will be immediately relocated to Utica Fire Department Station 3.
"The decision to move the polling site has been made in consultation with local authorities, and it is essential to ensure that all eligible voters in the affected districts have the opportunity to cast their ballots.
"The Oneida County Board of Elections would like to assure all registered voters that every measure has been taken to provide a safe and accessible voting location at Utica Fire Department Station 3. This relocation is being implemented to address the emergency situation while maintaining the integrity of our electoral process."
It comes after the University of North Carolina at Chapel (UNC at Chapel Hill) was on lockdown for the second time this semester back in September amid reports of a gunman. Staff and students were told to go inside immediately and shelter in place and to close windows and doors after responding to "an armed and dangerous person."
An all-clear was issued hours later and police confirmed suspect Mickel Deonte Harris, 27, was arrested in connection to the lockdown. He was arrested over 30 minutes after the all-clear was issued, and around two hours after the University was locked down.
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