CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chaos ensued on the UTC campus on Thursday afternoon.
Police say at roughly 12:30 Thursday afternoon, dispatchers received a call about an active shooter with a rifle at 615 McCallie Avenue.
This prompted a massive response from UTC Police, Chattanooga Police, and Hamilton County Deputies to locate that threat.
After surveying the campus, they were able to determine there was no active threat to the campus, and no one had been injured.
There was one student who suffered a medical emergency unrelated to the shooting that was treated.
Students received a text shortly after 12:30 saying there was an active shooter and that they needed to quote “Run, hide, fight”.
UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Bruce says the campus response was excellent.
Dr. Bruce said, “Thank you to the students, they had a very measured response. They evacuated calmly, and so from all of the reports that I have, the students responded in a very measured and calm manner and they did what they’ve received training for much of their lives.”
We asked if this incident was similar to previous incidents at Chattanooga State Community College and Brainerd High School. Authorities say it is too early to say, but it will be part of their investigation.
Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers said, “We can never assume something is fake…. We’re evaluating the number of calls that come in. Did you speak to a person? What type of information do you have on the call taker? Those are things that are being worked through on the backside by people that aren’t responding. Our job is to preserve life. That is our number one goal and that is all we are focused on.”
Lockdown was lifted shortly before 2 Thursday afternoon.
UTC classes and other activities have been cancelled for the remainder of Thursday.
Campus will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday morning, and counselors are available for students who may need them.
