UPDATE: All-clear alert issued after potential threat investigated

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UPDATE 3:53 p.m. Nov. 15. This story has been updated to include information from a second email from Public Safety.

St. Thomas Public Safety issued an all-clear alert midafternoon Thursday after investigating a report of a potential weapon on campus.

The College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office sent an email shortly before 2 p.m., informing faculty and staff of an email circulating campus that suggested a potential threat, which ramped up security and prompted multiple professors to take precautionary measures.

“It is also important to note that, as of now, there is no immediate threat to campus,” Dean Yohuru Williams wrote.

Public Safety issued its all-clear alert around 2:45 p.m.

After the all-clear alert was issued, Public Safety said in another email, “At no time was the campus in danger,” which was why no campus-wide alert was issued.

Before the all-clear, some classes, however, took safety measures.

Two TommieMedia staff members reported their classes were released early. A professor in one of those classes turned off the lights, and students voluntarily moved away from the door, according to a TommieMedia staff member.

Public Safety commended the individual who initially reported something suspicious to it. “That was the right thing to do,” the email said.