The sighting of someone with a gun inside a Columbus State Community College building led to an evacuation and police search Wednesday morning. Classes were canceled for the remainder of the day "out of an abundance of caution," according to spokesperson David Wayne.
Early accounts on social media referred to an active shooter on the downtown campus, but Wayne says no shots were fired.
A student spotted a man with a gun inside the Center for Technology and Learning building around 10 a.m.
“Police started looking for that suspect, and could not find that suspect," Wayne says. "They searched the building, floor by floor, room by room. We think the suspect may have left campus."
Wayne says the suspect might have ventured into the nearby Discovery District, or boarded a bus.
The building was evacuated, and though classes resumed within an hour, CSCC closed for the day due to concerns raised by students and parents. The college plans to reopen Thursday morning.
Wayne says guns are banned on all parts of the CSCC campus. A new state law going into effect March 19 gives colleges and universities the option of allowing concealed guns on campus, but Wayne says they will continue to ban firearms.
As a result of today's incident, the Columbus Campus is closed for the remainder of the day. All other college locations remain open. (1/3)
— Columbus State (@cscc_edu) March 8, 2017
Campus buildings are clear, but the suspect remains at large. (2/3)
— Columbus State (@cscc_edu) March 8, 2017
Out of an abundance of caution, classes are canceled and employees are dismissed. (3/3)
— Columbus State (@cscc_edu) March 8, 2017
