Georgia active shooter update: Police evidence suggests hoax

After an armed shooter was reported on its Athens campus, the University of Georgia shared an update. Police said the evidence suggests a possible hoax.

The university issued its initial alert at 8:51 p.m. ET saying an “armed shooter” was on campus. Officials said to avoid the area of the Main Library – located at the heart of campus on South Jackson Street – as first responders made their way to the scene.

Less than an hour later, at 9:34 p.m. ET, the university provided a new update. According to police, the evidence suggests a possible hoax, though the investigation is ongoing as first responders remain on the scene. They still encouraged to avoid the area.

“This is an Emergency UGA Police Alert Message for the Athens Campus,” the update reads. “Police are on scene at Library, at this time evidence suggests a hoax. Please continue to avoid this area. First responders are on the scene. More information will be posted at emergency.uga.edu as it becomes available. Please do not call emergency numbers for information.”

The armed shooter alert at the University of Georgia is the latest such instance across the country this week. At the University of Arkansas, a shooter was reported, though it was later confirmed to be a hoax. The University of South Carolina also had an unconfirmed report of an active shooter on campus Aug. 23.

According to FOX 5 Atlanta, UGA Police said they received the call around 8:45 p.m. ET to the communications center. The timestamp on the university’s emergency alert was 8:51 p.m.

Officers responded immediately and searched the library, as well as the surrounding evidence, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. During that search, they didn’t find any evidence of a shooter.

In a statement to FOX 5 Atlanta, UGA police said officers will remain in the area to continue investigating. The department confirmed the preliminary investigation suggests it was a hoax.

“Officers quickly responded and searched the area. A preliminary investigation suggests the event was a hoax, but officers remain in the vicinity to investigate and collect information,” the department said, via FOX 5 Atlanta.

Students at the University of Georgia just completed their second full week of classes after they began Aug. 13. The university has a scheduled holiday on Monday for Labor Day.