At approximately 8 p.m. on April 2, Kent State University Police received a report of a single shot fired near Bowman Hall on the university’s Kent Campus. The police immediately advised the university community to shelter in place and provided a description of the suspect.
University police along with more than 10 area police agencies responded and determined the shot was fired into the ground. As the investigation continued, the university community was provided updates through text alerts, emails and social media. Those in campus buildings also received updates and communications via loud speakers of the public address system.
Once the police determined that the suspect was no longer on campus, the shelter in place advisory for the entire campus was lifted.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., police apprehended the suspect off campus.
Kent State President Lester A. Lefton stressed that the safety and health of our students, employees and campus visitors is the number one priority and applauded the responding safety forces and university team for acting quickly and appropriately. Lefton added that the university regularly prepares and trains for emergency situations and praised students and employees for taking appropriate precautions that they have learned through A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Information, Counter and Evacuation) crisis training.
The university plans to hold a morning press conference on April 3. An advisory will be sent Thursday morning.
For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu.
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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595