Purchase College on Normal Schedule as Cops Investigate Man with Gun

HARRISON, NY - Police and Purchase College authorities continue to investigate Monday night's incident, in which the college was in lockdown for hours as local, county and state police searched for a man with a gun on the large campus of the performing arts institution.

No one was hurt and classes and activities resumed normal schedules at the school, which is part of the State University of New York.

Purchase College President Thomas J. Schwarz told students, faculty and staff last night that no shots were confirmed as being fired.

He sent this message to the community Tuesday morning:

Last night, NYS University Police (UPD) was notified of a male with a firearm near Alumni Village. UPD immediately responded with back up support from state, county and local police. The male fled the campus following the police response. No one was hurt by the suspect. Police officers, with K9 and helicopter, conducted a complete search of the campus and surrounding area in order to ensure that it was safe and secure. This search was completed within a few hours.

The investigation into the incident on campus last night continues as we attempt to put together information from many sources. UPD is collaborating with its partners from the State Police Troop K on this investigation. As a result, there will be increased police presence on campus today.

I would like to thank our students for their cooperation during the late evening hours when we had to implement tight security measures. This allowed us to follow our emergency procedures and secure the campus as quickly as possible.

Should anyone have any further information that would help us with our investigation, please call UPD 914-251-6900at or email Roberto.Caban@Purchase.edu.

PHOTO: Police vehicles from Harrison PD wait in Alumni Village as officers search the surrounding wooded area/Purchase Phoenix Photo Editor David Weber/ used with permission