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University of Arkansas – Critical 10 Minutes: Active Shooter Report
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Tense Hours: University of Arkansas Responds to Active Shooter Scare
(FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.) — The University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville was plunged into a state of high alert on Monday afternoon following a report of an active shooter near the central Mullins Library.
The initial alarm was sent to the university community just before 12:30 p.m. via the University of Arkansas’s RazALERT emergency notification system. The stark message instructed individuals to “Avoid the area of Mullins Library due to an active shooter reported. Avoid. Deny. Defend.”
In a swift and massive response, multiple law enforcement agencies, including the University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) and the Fayetteville Police Department, immediately descended on the scene. Authorities began evacuating students from the library and surrounding buildings while establishing a large security perimeter. As a precaution, other major facilities on campus, including the iconic Razorback Stadium, were placed on lockdown.
For nearly an hour, the situation remained uncertain and deeply concerning for students, parents, and faculty awaiting updates. However, in a press update shortly after 1:10 p.m., Fayetteville Police Department Sgt. Stephen Mauk provided crucial relief, stating that there was no confirmed shooting and that law enforcement was in the process of methodically clearing the area.
While the report was ultimately deemed not to be an active shooter situation, the incident highlights the critical importance of campus safety protocols. The University of Arkansas’s emergency systems were activated as designed, prioritizing caution and the immediate protection of student life over all else.
University spokesperson John Thomas confirmed that law enforcement treated the threat with the highest level of seriousness until it could be fully investigated. The all-clear was given once the library and campus were confirmed to be secure.
No injuries were reported at any point during the event. The investigation into the origin of the initial report is ongoing. 5NEWS, which provided ongoing coverage, continues to reach out to authorities for more details and will update this story as new information is confirmed.
The University of Arkansas community is now breathing a collective sigh of relief, a reminder of the fragile nature of campus security in today’s world and the essential role of rapid emergency communication.