Dear Members of the Campus Community,
Following up on yesterday’s messages regarding the false active shooter incident, efforts are underway to identify and locate the person(s) responsible. As the lead agency in the investigation, the Lehigh University Police Department (LUPD) is initiating an investigation and engaging with the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI to utilize its resources to identify those responsible.
Student safety is our top priority, and I wanted to provide additional information about the sequence of events.
Northampton County 9-1-1 non-emergency received a call indicating that there was an active shooter at “the main building” at Packer and Webster. Lehigh University and Bethlehem police responded within a minute to the area of East Packer Avenue and Webster Street near the Business Innovation Building. Shortly after, the first HawkWatch alert was sent, notifying the community to run-hide-fight, followed by a shelter-in-place order after additional information began to indicate the threats may not be credible.
Lehigh and Bethlehem police searched key areas and investigated follow-up leads, including additional reports from members of the Lehigh community. No threat was detected in any of the surrounding areas. Based on the information and lack of additional credible reports of an active threat, members of the community were asked to continue to shelter in place until police were confident in providing the all-clear.
Police provided the all-clear after conducting walking checks of Packer Campus and surrounding areas, including all buildings operating with extended study hours. After the area was declared clear and the call was determined to be a hoax, LUPD added additional patrols on campus throughout the evening.
Yesterday’s events were traumatizing for our community, and particularly for our students, some who had to be evacuated from buildings as they were studying for final exams. In addition to the disruption, it caused real fear and anxiety. We acknowledge that students and other campus members are experiencing a range of emotions because of news of recent shootings elsewhere in the country. Resources are available for those members of the community experiencing distress.
Unfortunately, this type of “swatting” incident has happened at several universities and colleges as well as K-12 schools in recent months and must be treated as active threats.
Preparedness is critical in the event of a real emergency. We encourage members of the Lehigh community to download the Hawkwatch app to receive alerts from Lehigh’s emergency notification system. Members of the Lehigh community may contact Campus Safety and LUPD through the HawkWatch app. Community members are encouraged to be vigilant and report safety concerns of any nature to LUPD at (610) 758-4200.
In the case of a true emergency, Lehigh employs several emergency services. While we are grateful that this incident was not an active threat, we realize that the situation brought up very real emotions and was alarming in nature. Campus Safety and the LUPD will continue to support the safety of our campus and members of the Lehigh community through every resource and avenue possible.
Jason Schiffer
Assistant Vice President of Campus Safety
Chief of Police