UNC Campus – The University of North Carolina (UNC) has been thrust into the spotlight following a devastating shooting incident that claimed the life of a faculty member at its Chapel Hill campus. The heart-wrenching event unfolded on Monday within a laboratory building situated at the heart of the campus. In response, UNC and nearby K12 schools were placed under a three-hour lockdown, leaving students and residents on edge.
NC Gov Roy Cooper released a statement stating that the officials are taking precautions and taking safety measures about the safety of the university
“Lockdown Declared For Three Hours And Later Lifted After Suspect Apprehended”
Campus authorities, along with law enforcement officials, convened on Monday evening to address the grim situation during a press conference. Tragically, it was confirmed that a dedicated faculty member had lost their life as a result of the incident. On a somewhat hopeful note, the suspected shooter has been successfully apprehended and is now in police custody.
The cloud of fear and uncertainty that had enveloped the campus lifted lock down with the capture of the suspect, bringing relief to students and the broader community.
The timeline of events leading to this resolution is as follows:
The first alert from UNC notifying the presence of an armed and dangerous individual on or near the campus was issued at 1:03 pm.
Subsequent alerts urging students to take cover and avoid windows were dispatched at 1:21 pm.
It wasn’t until 2:31 pm that law enforcement officers were able to detain the suspected shooter, nearly 90 minutes after the initial 911 call was made.
A mere four minutes later, a photograph of a person of interest was disseminated across social media platforms.
However, the shelter-in-place directive remained in effect, with UNC alerts maintaining that the suspect was still at large, until after 4 pm. The delay in lifting the lock down was attributed to the time required by the authorities to conclusively identify the shooter.
In a reassurance to concerned parents and guardians, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public Schools system communicated that it had received the “all clear” signal to proceed with dismissals at 3:40 pm.
Throughout the incident, a significant police presence converged around various laboratory buildings along South Road, adjacent to the iconic bell tower that stands as one of the most photographed landmarks in the state.