Loud Noise At UT-Austin Investigated, Building Evacuated

AUSTIN, TX — University of Texas at Austin police late Wednesday gave the all-clear after investigating reports of a loud noise emanating from a campus building, saying the source of the sound was undetermined and there were no signs of suspicious activity.

Earlier, campus police were being aided by their city counterparts in determining the source of the noise from the Texas Union building some on social media said heard like gunshots at around 10:15 p.m. Police evacuated the building as a safety precaution as they investigated the scene.

An hour after the first reports were received, police said the source of the loud noise was undetermined but no threat was detected, deeming the building safe for reentry. However, the UT-Austin Police Department said officers would remain at the scene in an abundance of caution.

As police investigated, they urged people to avoid the area.

According to a university website, the five-story Texas Union building was designed as a college independent community center. "We've got 5 floors of food, fun, and meeting space," school officials wrote on the website. The structure was built in 1933 to serve as the campus "living room," according to the website. college independent community center or "living room" on campus. The edifice was designed by Paul Cret, who also designed the Tower and Main Building, Goldsmith Hall and Texas Memorial Museum on campus.

UT-Austin police first reported on the incident via Twitter just before 10:15 p.m.

Across social media, people living in the vicinity of the Texas Union posted pictures showing a heavy police presence as officers investigated.