University of Richmond lockdown lifted, gunman not found

Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: May 6, 2008

Updated 7:57 p.m.

Officials at the University of Richmond tonight say the area has been thoroughly searched and they do not believe a suspected armed man spotted in the library earlier today is on campus or in the neighborhood.

“Police feel the suspect has left the campus and the area,” said university spokesman Brian Eckert.

Authorities, however, are continuing their investigation while the school will reopen as scheduled Wednesday.

The university is asking employees, faculty and students to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior. Also, Eckert said, there will be extra patrols overnight and tomorrow.

After first checking Boatwright Library, where the man was reported seen about 3 p.m., police inspected other buildings on the locked-down campus and the neighborhood, Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe said earlier tonight.

Monroe said police were checking homeless encampments and that they may be able to identify possible suspects from a surveillance photo taken by a library security camera. The person in the surveillance photo matches the description given by employees who saw him, UR officials said.

No shots were reported fired at any time.

Eckert said the suspect — apparently wearing a fake beard — came to the library’s circulation desk about 3 p.m. Library employees did not allow him in when they saw him as someone who was likely not a student.

Eckert said the person then left, apparently without incident, through the front entrance and walked across a patio where other school employees saw him removing the beard and brown jacket and stuffing them into an army-style duffel bag.

One of the employees thought he had seen a handgun.

About 4:30 p.m., a fake beard was found by university police on a lawn near the library. They gave that to the scent dog.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” said Linda Evans, another UR spokesperson. The last time the person was reported seen was about 3:25 p.m.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a dark blue T-shirt and brown jacket with the word “sheriff” on the back.

An initial UR alert went out by e-mail, voice mail and text message about 3:45 p.m., Evans said, reporting that a dangerous person had been seen on campus and to use caution. It was followed by a second alert at approximately 4:15 p.m. that reported a person had been seen with a gun, that the campus had been locked down and “urging everyone to secure themselves,” Evans said.

Although police from the university, the city of Richmond and Henrico County were on campus, there was not an immediately apparent heavy police presence at entrances to UR. A few students could be seen walking around campus as late as 4:45 p.m.

Police were going from building to building to find people and escort them to their cars so they could leave campus.

With exams concluded last week, most students have left the campus. Officials could not immediately say how many students were on campus.

The gunman sighting at UR also had an impact on two nearby private schools in the city’s West End.

St. Christopher’s School stopped all of its after-school games, practices and other activities and brought the students and adults into buildings as a precaution, spokeswoman Susan Mistr said.

At nearby St. Catherine’s, precautions were also taken. “We’re just going to stay tight until we hear something,” said Laura Erickson, head of school.

-------

Updated 7:27 p.m.

Police are expanding their search tonight for a gunman reported spotted at the University of Richmond library, checking every building on campus and going into surrounding West End neighborhoods.

No shots were reported fired, said Linda Evans, the spokeswoman.

Police searched Boatwright Library first, using a scent dog, and expanded their investigation across the locked-down campus and into neighborhoods, said Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe.

Monroe said police are checking homeless encampments and that they may be able to identify possible suspects from a surveillance photo taken by a library security camera.

Brian Eckert, a UR spokesman, said the suspect — apparently wearing a fake beard — came to the library’s circulation desk about 3 p.m. Library employees did not allow him into the library when they saw him as someone who was likely not a student.

Eckert said the person then left, apparently without incident, through the front entrance and walked across a patio where other school employees saw him removing the beard and brown jacket and stuffing them into an army-style duffel bag.

One of the employees thought he had seen a handgun.

About 4:30 p.m., a fake beard was found by university police on a lawn near the library. They gave that to the scent dog.

The person in the surveillance photo matches the description given by employees who saw him, UR officials said.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” said Linda Evans, another UR spokesperson. The last time the person was reported seen was about 3:25 p.m.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a dark blue T-shirt and brown jacket with the word “sheriff” on the back.

An initial UR alert went out by e-mail, voice mail and text message about 3:45 p.m., Evans said, reporting that a dangerous person had been seen on campus and to use caution. It was followed by a second alert at approximately 4:15 p.m. that reported a person had been seen with a gun, that the campus had been locked down and “urging everyone to secure themselves,” Evans said.

Although police from the university, the city of Richmond and Henrico County were on campus, there was not an immediately apparent heavy police presence at entrances to UR. A few students could be seen walking around campus as late as 4:45 p.m.

Police were going from building to building to find people and escort them to their cars so they could leave campus.

With exams concluded last week, most students have left the campus. Officials could not immediately say how many students were on campus.

The gunman sighting at UR also had an impact on two nearby private schools in the city’s West End.

St. Christopher’s School stopped all of its after-school games, practices and other activities and brought the students and adults into buildings as a precaution, spokeswoman Susan Mistr said.

At nearby St. Catherine’s, precautions were also taken. “We’re just going to stay tight until we hear something,” said Laura Erickson, head of school.

-----------

Updated 7:06 p.m.

BY BILL McKELWAY AND LINDA DUNHAM
Richmond Times-Dispatch

Police are going from building to building at the University of Richmond tonight, looking for an armed man reported to have been seen in Boatwright Library earlier this afternoon, a spokeswoman said.
No shots were reported fired, said Linda Evans, the spokeswoman.

Police searched Boatwright first, using a scent dog, and expanded their investigation across the locked-down campus.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” Evans said. The last time the person was reported seen was about 3:25 p.m. He was first spotted about 3 p.m.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a dark shirt or jacket with the word “sheriff” on the back and possibly a fake beard, Evans said. He was also reported to be carrying an olive-colored, Army-style duffel bag. A text message alert from the university about 4:30 p.m. reported a fake beard had been found.

An initial UR alert went out by e-mail, voice mail and text message about 3:45 p.m., Evans said, reporting that a dangerous person had been seen on campus and to use caution. It was followed by a second alert at approximately 4:15 p.m. that reported a person had been seen with a gun, that the campus had been locked down and “urging everyone to secure themselves,” Evans said.

Although police from the university, the city of Richmond and Henrico County were on campus, there was not an immediately apparent heavy police presence at entrances to UR. A few students could be seen walking around campus as late as 4:45 p.m.

Police were going from building to building to find people and escort them to their cars so they could leave campus.

With exams concluded last week, most students have left the campus. Officials could not immediately say how many students were on campus.

The gunman sighting at UR also had an impact on two nearby private schools in the city’s West End. St. Christopher’s School stopped all of its after-school games, practices and other activities and brought the students and adults into buildings as a precaution, spokeswoman Susan Mistr said. At nearby St. Catherine’s, precautions were also taken. “We’re just going to stay tight until we hear something,” said Laura Erickson, head of school.

--------

Updated 5:39 p.m.

Police are on the locked-down campus of the University of Richmond this afternoon looking for an armed man reported to have been seen in Boatwright Library, a spokeswoman said.

No shots have been reported fired, said Linda Evans, the spokeswoman.

Scent dogs are being used in the investigation at the library at this hour. A surveillance photo was taken in the library, but authorities are not releasing it at this time.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” Evans said. The last time the person was reported seen was about 3:25 p.m. He was first seen about 3 p.m.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a dark shirt or jacket with the word “sheriff” on the back and possibly a fake beard, Evans said. He was also reported to be carrying an olive-colored, Army-style duffel bag. A text message alert from the university about 4:30 p.m. reported a fake beard had been found.

An initial alert went out by e-mail, voice mail and text message about 3:45 p.m., Evans said, reporting that a dangerous person had been seen on campus and to use caution. It was followed by a second alert at approximately 4:15 p.m. that reported a person had been seen with a gun, that the campus had been locked down and “urging everyone to secure themselves,” Evans said.

Although police from the university, the city of Richmond and Henrico County were on campus, there was not an immediately apparent heavy police presence at entrances to UR. A few students could be seen walking around campus as late as 4:45 p.m.

Police were going from building to building to find people and escort them to their cars so they could leave campus.

With exams over last Friday, most students have left the campus. Officials could not immediately say how many students were on campus.

The gunman sighting at UR also had an impact on two nearby private schools in the city’s West End. St. Christopher’s School stopped all of its after-school games, practices and other activities and brought the students and adults into buildings as a precaution, spokeswoman Susan Mistr said. At nearby St. Catherine’s, precautions were also taken. “We’re just going to stay tight until we hear something,” said Laura Erickson, head of school.

---------------

Updated 5:33 p.m.

Police are on the locked-down campus of the University of Richmond this afternoon looking for an armed man reported to have been seen in Boatwright Library, a spokeswoman said.

No shots have been reported fired, said Linda Evans, the spokeswoman.

Scent dogs are being used in the investigation at the library at this hour. A surveillance photo was taken in the library, but authorities are not releasing it at this time.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” Evans said. The last time the person was reported seen was about 3:25 p.m. He was first seen about 3 p.m.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a dark shirt or jacket with the word “sheriff” on the back and possibly a fake beard, Evans said. He was also reported to be carrying an olive-colored, Army-style duffel bag. A text message alert from the university about 4:30 p.m. reported a fake beard had been found.

An initial alert went out by e-mail, voice mail and text message about 3:45 p.m., Evans said, reporting that a dangerous person had been seen on campus and to use caution. It was followed by a second alert at approximately 4:15 p.m. that reported a person had been seen with a gun, that the campus had been locked down and “urging everyone to secure themselves,” Evans said.

Although police from the university, the city of Richmond and Henrico County were on campus, there was not an immediately apparent heavy police presence at entrances to UR. A few students could be seen walking around campus as late as 4:45 p.m.

Police were going from building to building to find people and escort them to their cars so they could leave campus.

With exams over last Friday, most students have left the campus. Officials could not immediately say how many students were on campus.

The gunman sighting at UR also had an impact on two nearby private schools in the city’s West End. St. Christopher’s School stopped all of its after-school games, practices and other activities and brought the students and adults into buildings as a precaution, spokeswoman Susan Mistr said. At nearby St. Catherine’s, precautions were also taken. “We’re just going to stay tight until we hear something,” said Laura Erickson, head of school.

----------

Updated 5:27 p.m.

The University of Richmond locked down its campus this afternoon as police from the university, the city of Richmond and Henrico County search for an armed man reported to have been seen in Boatwright Library, a spokeswoman said.

No shots have been reported fired, said Linda Evans, the spokeswoman.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” Evans said. The last time the person was reported seen was about 3:25 p.m.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a navy blue shirt or jacket and possibly a fake beard, Evans said. He was also reported to be carrying an olive-colored, Army-style duffel bag.

According to a text message sent to employees about 4:30 p.m., a fake beard was found.

An initial alert went out by e-mail, voice mail and text message about 3:45 p.m., Evan said, reporting that a dangerous person had been seen on campus and to use caution. It was followed by a second alert at approximately 4:15 p.m. that reported a person had been seen with a gun, that the campus had been locked down and “urging everyone to secure themselves,” Evans said.

With exams over last Friday, most students have left the campus. Officials could not immediately say how many students were on campus.

The gunman sighting at UR also had an impact on two nearby private schools in the city’s West End. St. Christopher’s School stopped all of its after-school games, practices and other activities and brought the students and adults into buildings as a precation, spokeswoman Susan Mistr said. At nearby St. Catherine’s, precautions were also taken. “We’re just going to stay tight until we hear something,” said Laura Erickson, head of school.

-----------

Updated 5:24 p.m.

The University of Richmond locked down its campus this afternoon as police from the university, the city of Richmond and Henrico County search for an armed man reported to have been seen in Boatwright Library, a spokeswoman said.

No shots have been reported fired, said Linda Evans, the spokeswoman.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” Evans said. The last time the person was reported seen was about 3:25 p.m.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a navy blue shirt or jacket and possibly a fake beard, Evans said. He was also reported to be carrying an olive-colored, Army-style duffel bag.

According to a text message sent to employees about 4:30 p.m., a fake beard was found.

An initial alert went out by e-mail, voice mail and text message about 3:45 p.m., Evan said, reporting that a dangerous person had been seen on campus and to use caution. It was followed by a second alert at approximately 4:15 p.m. that reported a person had been seen with a gun, that the campus had been locked down and “urging everyone to secure themselves,” Evans said.

With exams over last Friday, most students have left the campus. Officials could not immediately say how many students were on campus.

The gunman sighting at UR also had an impact on two nearby private schools in the city’s West End. St. Christopher’s School stopped all of its after-school games, practices and other activities and brought the students and adults into buildings as a precation, spokeswoman Susan Mistr said. At nearby St. Catherine’s, precautions were also taken. “We’re just going to stay tight until we hear something,” said Laura Erickson, head of school.

------------

Updated 5:10 p.m.

The University of Richmond locked down its campus this afternoon as police from the university, the city of Richmond and Henrico County search for an armed man reported to have been seen in Boatwright Library, a spokeswoman said.

No shots have been reported fired, said Linda Evans, the spokeswoman.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” Evans said. The last time the person was reported seen was about 3:25 p.m.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a navy blue shirt or jacket and possibly a fake beard, Evans said. He was also reported to be carrying an olive-colored, Army-style duffel bag.

An initial alert went out by e-mail, voice mail and text message about 3:45 p.m., Evan said, reporting that a dangerous person had been seen on campus and to use caution. It was followed by a second alert at approximately 4:15 p.m. that reported a person had been seen with a gun, that the campus had been locked down and “urging everyone to secure themselves,” Evans said.

With exams over last Friday, most students have left the campus. Officials could not immediately say how many students were on campus.

---------

Police are on the University of Richmond campus this afternoon after two people said they saw a man with a gun in the library, a university spokeswoman said.

Richmond, Henrico County and university police are searching for someone who meets the description of the person reported, said Linda Evans, the spokeswoman.

No shots have been reported fired, Evans said.

“We’ve had two different reports from witnesses who said he had a firearm,” Evans said.

The person was described as a white male, 5-foot-11-inches tall, with short blond hair, a navy blue shirt or jacket and possibly a fake beard, Evans said. He was also reported to be carrying an olive colored Army-style duffel bag.

With the end of the school year at hand most students have left campus, but those who are there are being asked to use caution, she said.