UMass Lowell Campus on Lockdown Following Reports of Man With ‘Long Weapon’

Police have responded to the University of Massachusetts Lowell after a person was reported with what is suspected to be a gun.

The campus is currently under a shelter-in-place order as police attempt to locate the person.

“Police from UMass Lowell and the city of Lowell were alerted this afternoon to reports of a male on South Campus carrying an object suspected of being a firearm,” the University said on its website. “A campus-wide shelter in place order has been issued as officers attempt to find this individual.”

There has been no report of a shooting, the University continued, adding that all classes and events on campus have been cancelled for the rest of the day.

“I’m actively monitoring the alert of a potentially armed individual near UMass Lowell’s South Campus and in touch with local officials,” Rep. Lori Trahan said in a statement on X. “If you are in Lowell, please follow directions from Lowell Police Department and UMass Lowell.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.  

Massachusetts State Police are also investigating the incident, per NBC 10.

In a statement, the state police said law enforcement was “aware of a video circulating of a person who appears to be armed walking in Lowell near the Riverview Suites on Middlesex Street,” confirming that both state and local police “have responded to the area to further investigate.”  

Text messages sent through a school emergency system described the person they’re looking for as a “5’5 Asian male wearing a gray or white sweatshirt and black shorts carrying a long weapon,” WCVB5 reported.

Today, Sept. 2, is the first day of classes, per NBC4.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.