No injuries or threats reported in Ferrum incident
Posted Feb26, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Shortly after 11 a.m., Ferrum and law enforcement officials announced that no one had been injured, no one had been threatened, but that a lockdown and seach of campus was continuing. After students were identified and determined to be safe, they were being sequestered in a secure campus location, Franklin County Sheriff Ewell Hunt said.
"We're being hypervigilant," said college President Jennifer Braaten.
"There have been no threats . . . no incidents to indicate any threats," Hunt said.
In addition to sheriff's deputies, there were at least 25 state troopers, a state police tactical team and ATF agents on campus.
The incident began at 7:29 a.m. with a report that a housekeeper on campus had seen a young, clean-cut white male wearing green clothing and carrying a handgun entering Bassett Hall, Hunt said. He was not brandishing the weapon.
Braaten said dorms typically are locked until about 7 a.m. every day. They are on a key system. It’s unclear whether the man had a key, or if he’s a student.
The man told the housekeeper not to say anything, and that everything would be all right, Hunt said. Then he continued into Bassett Hall, Hunt said.
Police responded and began to secure buildings while the college sent out a text alert telling students to remain in their dorms. Campus sirens sounded. Administrators went to various campus buildings, Braaten said, while she went to the dining hall where some students were eating breakfast.
"I have to commend -- it was absolutely exceptional -- I have to commend local law enforcement," Braaten said. "This is a thing we never wanted to have to deal with. ... We have zero tolerance for anything that threatens the safety and well-being of our students."
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