Armed Person Prompts Shelter-In-Place At ACC Round Rock Campus

UPDATE: ROUND ROCK, TX — A shelter-in-place order implemented at the Austin Community College Round Rock campus was lifted after police found no firearm on a person near the school

School officials at noon issued the order amid reports of an armed person near campus. After a police investigation, school officials said the order was lifted at 1 p.m. According to Austin Community College officials, the person who was at the center of the threat was found without a weapon.

"All campus activities resume on a regular schedule," school officials wrote in a tweet.

School officials provided updates related to the incident on a number of fronts:

TIMELINE

Campus police received a report of a possible armed individual at the Round Rock Campus at 12:02 p.m. The college immediately issued a shelter-in-place order while distributing email and text messages through its Emergency Notification System. Alerts also were posted to the college’s website and on its social media channels. Continued updates were provided approximately every 10 minutes.

INVESTIGATION

Police conducted a building-by-building search and reviewed campus surveillance video. Footage showed a rifle-sized object sticking out of an individual’s backpack. Officers enhanced surveillance video and were able to get the name of the manufacturer on the object. Further investigation determined the company makes camera equipment and tripods. At the same time, police located the individual and confirmed there was no weapon and the shelter-in-place order was lifted.

CAMPUS SAFETY

"ACC takes the safety of its students, employees, and visitors very seriously," school officials wrote. "Measures are in place to protect those on campus, including a police station and strategically-located surveillance cameras. ACC encourages the college community to remain vigilant on campus and report any suspicious activity."

Students and employees are encouraged to verify or update their contact information online to receive emergency notifications, officials added.

From earlier:

ROUND ROCK, TX — Reports of an armed person near the Austin Community College Round Rock Campus on Monday prompted officials to place the school under an immediate shelter-in-place order, officials said.

The move at noon was implemented amid heavy police activity in response to the armed individual, school officials said in a press advisory. The shelter-in-place order will remain in effect at the campus located on 4400 College Dr. until further notice, officials said.

Updates will be posted at austincc.edu and on the college’s Facebook and Twitter pages. On Twitter, school officials advised those on the campus to lock their doors. "Stay alert and ready to respond," school officials wrote.

No further details were provided. Patch will update when more information is known.