PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University police responded Thursday morning to a false report of an active shooter on campus.
According to a WSU police news release, around 9 a.m. a caller falsely reported seeing a man carrying an AR-15-style rifle near Holland/Terrell Library at 1400 NE Terrell Mall. The caller also claimed they heard gunshots and were barricaded inside the library.
WSU and Pullman police immediately responded and confirmed there was no active shooter and no threat to campus. Officers searched the area thoroughly to ensure safety.
Because the situation unfolded quickly, WSU police said that they resolved it before an emergency alert could be issued with instructions. An alert was later sent to inform the campus community that the report was false and there was no threat.
WSU police said they are aware of similar false or “swatting” calls reporting active shooters at university campuses nationwide. Such incidents cause significant distress and are taken seriously, they said. The case remains under investigation with assistance from the FBI.
