By Katie Goss ’23
Business Manager & News Editor
Members of the campus community at the University of Massachusetts Amherst were sent an alert on Tuesday, Oct. 26, that said, “Hostile armed person reported near UHS [University Health Services]. Shelter in place and stay indoors. Wait for all clear signal.”
The University sent out the alert around 12:40 p.m. after a man, not affiliated with the University, had called Amherst Police and threatened to harm himself. He claimed he was near UHS, but after Amherst Police notified UMass Amherst Police about the call, they determined the man was in North Amherst and off campus.
Amherst Police located the man driving towards campus, down North Pleasant Street, and had the University issue the alert. UMass Police stayed near UHS as the man was driving towards it. Once the man reached UHS, UMass Police along with Amherst and Massachusetts State Police took the man into custody, where UMass officials later said he was taken to a hospital within the area. When the man’s car was searched, a handgun and ammunition were found inside.
There is no current immediate threat to the community and no injuries were reported. The University thanked the police departments for their help in the matter.
According to a Western Mass News article, the University released a statement saying, “We are grateful for the immediate action of the Amherst Police and our UMPD officers and for the systems we have in place to alert the community to keep you safe from harm.”