Yale Gunman Hoax: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Yale University Lockdown Gunman Shelter-in-place New Haven police

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The threat of gunman on campus at Yale University has created a frenzied panic at the college. After an alert was sent at 10:17 a.m. through the university’s website that a gunman was “reported” on campus, the alert was upgraded at 11:02 a.m. to say a gunman had been “confirmed.” After a day-long, multi-agency search, no threat was found.

Here’s what you need to know:


1. A Caller Told Cops Their Roommate Was Going to the Campus to Shoot People

The New Haven Police Department received an anonymous tip from a pay phone off campus. The Hartford Courant reports that the called said their roommate was going to Yale to “shoot people.” Further to this, witnesses saw a person with a long gun near the college.

The phone is located on the 300 block of Columbus Avenue in New Haven, about a mile southwest of Yale’s Old Campus.

Yale University Lockdown Gunman Shelter-in-place New Haven police


2. SWAT Teams Searched the Campus

Police in tactical gear, armed with assault weapons, arrived on campus and began a thorough search, reports NBC Connecticut.

The gunman was reported to be on the college’s Old Campus. The New Haven Register reports that a Starbucks close to the Old Campus has been cleared by cops.

Rob O’Gara, a student, told the Yale Daily News that “for the past 20 minutes, police have been yelling at each other to “get cover” and at someone else to pull back.”

At 12:41 p.m. an unarmed man had been arrested by New Haven police, it’s not known what connection he has to the search for the gunman. New Haven police spokesman David Hartman told reporters that the search for the armed man had moved slightly off campus.


3. Most Students Have Left for Thanksgiving Break

Yale Daily News reports that many students have already left the college for Thanksgiving break. Classes do not resume until December 2.

Old Campus includes Yale’s oldest building, Connecticut Hall. The area houses most of the school’s freshmen.


4. Nobody Was Injured

There were no reports of injuries. New Haven Police Lieutenant Jeff Hoffman confirmed and no shots were fired.


5. Students Were Seeking Shelter Across the Campus

The college was locked down and those on campus were advised to seek shelter and remain indoors. People were reported to be calm as they milled around outside of the Old Campus.