A ROTC / off-duty military member with a AR-15 gun caused panic at the University of Maryland Thursday afternoon after police issued alerts of a person armed on campus.
Police alerted students shortly before 2:30 p.m. that a person armed with an AR-15 was reported at Ritchie Coliseum on Route 1 in College Park.
The UMD Police issued an alert, which says:
Person armed with an AR-15 reported at Ritchie Coliseum. Avoid the area and follow all public safety orders.Police are actively searching for the suspect. Stay alert and follow the direction of police officials.
The City Hall in downtown also went into a lock-down. City Hall was declared closed at that time.
Less than 30 minutes later, University officials confirmed that the man was an off-duty military member, and that police was notified by two very alert students.
The UMPD issued the following statement
Good afternoon, We have verified that there was a man with a long gun that was seen by two very alert students. Our investigation reveals that this is an off duty member of the military. We have verified his identity and the situation is now all clear. Chief Mitchell has called an emergency with military commanders to discuss this incident and to make sure this can never happen again.
Please call me at 301-938-7559 if you need further information.