Howard University evacuated one of its buildings on Tuesday amid reports of an active shooter that turned out to be a false alarm.
At midday, police announced they had been called to the campus in Washington DC by university officials who earlier received an anonymous report about the shooter.
They evacuated the administrative building and told others on campus to stay in place as they swept the grounds.
Two hours later, police finished their searches without finding a single injured person or shooter.
Staff at Howard University in Washington DC received an anonymous report of a shooter at midday on Tuesday (file image) which later emerged to be a false alarm
University officials issued this message at 12.44pm by which time there were still no reported injuries and no shooter had been found
The alarm was raised shortly after midday when university officials received an anonymous call about a shooter on campus.
The university is currently welcoming homecoming week, an annual tradition which sees a number of alumni returning to campus.
One Washington Post employee cited a friend who works on campus who appeared to confirm the shooter’s presence.
‘A friend who works at Howard University just text me that there is an active shooter on campus,’ they said.
At around 12.20pm, the Metropolitan Police Department tweeted: ‘We’re on the scene for the report of an active shooter. So far nothing confirmed.
‘Take precautions if in the area.’
One Washington Post employee said he had spoken to a friend at the university who was told of the same threat
Panic spread on Tuesday afternoon as police tried to establish whether the threat was genuine
On Tuesday night, the university is due to host the first ‘YouTube Black fanfest’ as part of its homecoming week celebrations.
The event is planned to take place on campus and will feature performances from a handful of successful black internet influencers.
anicked students took to social media in confusion after not hearing from university officials as the reports unfolded.
Shortly before 1pm, the university said in a tweet: ‘This afternoon, we were anonymously notified of a potential shooter on campus.
‘We took the call seriously and police are investigating.
‘Because the safety of our students and staff are our number one priority, the Admin Bldg has been evacuated.’