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NEED TO KNOW
- Police responded to the University of Massachusetts Lowell after a person was reportedly seen on video holding what was suspected to be a gun
- The campus was placed under a shelter-in-place order as police attempted to locate the man
- There were no reports of a shooting or any injuries
The University of Massachusetts Lowell campus was on lockdown for several hours Wednesday, Sept. 3, while police attempted to locate a man reportedly seen on video holding what was suspected to be a gun.
“Police from UMass Lowell and the city of Lowell were alerted this afternoon to reports of a male on South Campus carrying an object suspected of being a firearm,” the University said on its website, adding that there was “no report of a shooting.”
Text messages sent through a school emergency system earlier this afternoon described the person police were looking for as a “5’5 Asian male wearing a gray or white sweatshirt and black shorts carrying a long weapon,” WCVB5 reported.
Mark F Lotterhand/Shutterstock
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State and local police responded to the campus, confirming they were “aware of a video circulating of a person who appears to be armed walking in Lowell near the Riverview Suites on Middlesex Street” and conducted a thorough search of the area.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted several hours later “after law enforcement partners determined the suspect was no longer in the vicinity,” per the University.
Trooper Brandon Doherty with the Massachusetts State Police told PEOPLE in a statement that they will continue to gather information in support of the ongoing investigation.
“There are no reports of any shots fired or injuries,” Doherty said. “Troopers and Officers will maintain a presence in and around the city as a precaution … If you have any information, photos, or video of the suspect, please report it to Lowell Police Department.”
FBI Boston has also confirmed its role in the ongoing investigation in a post on X, saying the agency continues to “provide assistance to our law enforcement partners,” while urging the public to “remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
