UT Health San Antonio Campus All Clear: No Active Shooter Found
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An alert issued to the UT Health San Antonio community regarding a potential armed person on campus has been lifted,with law enforcement confirming no active shooter was present. The situation, which prompted a shelter-in-place order, concluded with an “ALL CLEAR” issued at 5:29 p.m. Central Time on Thursday.
Initial Reports and Lockdown
The initial alert,sent at 4:59 p.m., urged individuals to avoid the Eckert Building, located at 5788 Eckert Road, and to seek shelter. the message read,”Emergency! Armed person on campus. go to nearest room and lock door. If on campus, stay away.” This prompted immediate concern and a rapid response from both university officials and the San Antonio Police Department. The alert stemmed from unconfirmed reports of a possible armed individual, initiating the lockdown as a precautionary measure to ensure student and faculty safety.
UT health San Antonio utilizes the Rave Guardian system for emergency alerts. Students and staff are encouraged to download the app for timely updates during critical situations.
Law Enforcement Response and confirmation
By 5:17 p.m., law enforcement personnel were actively on site assessing the situation. San Antonio Police Department officers thoroughly searched the Eckert Building and surrounding areas. A subsequent update, released at 5:31 p.m., provided the crucial reassurance: “Law enforcement has positively confirmed no active shooter at the Eckhert Location.” Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident. The search involved multiple units and K-9 teams, ultimately determining the initial reports were unfounded.
During a shelter-in-place, barricade yourself in a secure room, lock the door, silence your phone, and remain quiet until authorities give the all-clear.
Ongoing Inquiry and University Communication
While the immediate threat has been neutralized, the situation remains under investigation to determine the source of the initial report. University officials have indicated they will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. The swift communication from the university, utilizing multiple alerts – including email, text messages, and social media – played a key role in keeping the campus community informed. The university is reviewing its alert procedures to optimize future responses.
What are your thoughts on how the university handled the communication during this event? Share your feedback.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
