False shooting alarm causes tension at UMass Boston

Photo taken from: X

The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) was the scene of a major police operation on Thursday following reports of a possible shooting on campus. After several hours of uncertainty, authorities confirmed it was a false alarm and declared the "all clear."

The incident began in the afternoon, when students and staff received alerts about a "public safety hazard" in the East Dormitory area. Minutes earlier, the university had reported an operation in the vicinity of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

Faced with the possibility of an active shooter, the administration asked the university community to take shelter in their rooms, not open their doors to anyone other than police, and avoid specific areas of campus. The warning generated fear among students, who shared images and testimonies of the mobilization on social media.

The police response included Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement, who entered the campus and conducted searches for suspects or evidence of gunfire. After the searches, no weapons, armed individuals, or injuries were found.

"We know it was a terrifying experience. Fortunately, we can confirm there was no real threat to our community," university officials said in a statement.

As a precautionary measure, classes and activities were canceled for the day. The origin of the alert is still under investigation; it is unknown whether it was a misunderstanding or a false alarm.

The incident has revived concerns about security in American educational institutions, where shooting drills and protocols have become part of academic routine.

For more stories like this, follow More Latin.

Sources:

• NBC Boston