Kansas State announces swatting attack after South Carolina, Arkansas active shooter alerts

Following a series of apparent swatting attempts that triggered active shooter alerts at college campuses over the last two days, Kansas State announced it intercepted a swatting attempt on Monday afternoon. The university quickly flagged it as a false alert.

According to the university, Riley County Dispatch received a call on an administrative line indicating active violence at the Hale Library. Authorities were immediately dispatched.

Officers responded and determined the call was a hoax and there was no threat or danger. The building was reported safe and the Manhattan campus resumed under normal operations.

“This appears to be similar to other swatting reports happening at universities across the country,” a KSU statement read. The incident comes after two SEC campuses appeared to have similar calls placed in recent days.

South Carolina first issued an alert for an active shooter on Sunday evening. The university ultimately gave the all clear after finding no evidence of a shooter.

South Carolina sends active shooter alert

Authorities were combing the South Carolina campus “out of an abundance of caution” on Sunday evening. An initial alert from the university was sent out around 6:30 p.m. ET, urging those near the Thomas Cooper Library on the Columbia campus to shelter in place.

By 7:10 p.m. ET, a subsequent alert had been sent indicating there was no evidence of an active shooter. Just before 8 p.m. ET a campus spokesman met with local media and provided an update.

“We received an unconfirmed report of an active shooter at the Thomas Cooper Library,” South Carolina AVP for University Communications Jeff Stensland said. “A Carolina alert was sent out out of an abundance of caution. Right now law enforcement is clearing the building, going floor by floor.

“At this point we have no injuries and we have no confirmation that there actually was a shooter at the library. But, again, out of an abundance of caution, we’re going through the library to make sure. Have more for you soon.”

At 8:17 p.m. ET, per Joe Bruno of WSOC9, the University of South Carolina campus issued an all clear.

On Monday afternoon, Arkansas appeared to experience a similar event. The university issued an active shooter alert, then authorities began to sweep the areas in question without finding any evidence of a shooter.

Arkansas issues active shooter alert

An initial active shooter alert was issued via Arkansas’ emergency alert system early Monday afternoon. According to multiple reports, police were not been able to confirm any gunshots or injuries, and there were no crime scenes as of 2:45 p.m. ET.

Nowcast 40/29 News Sunrise provided updates on the developing situation as it unfolded. Fayetteville Police Department spokesman Natalie Eucce said the department got multiple calls about scenes at and near the University of Arkansas. An emergency alert was issued at about 1:27 p.m. ET.

“Avoid the area of Mullins Library due to an active shooter reported,” the Arkansas alert read. “Avoid. Deny. Defend.”

In its response, law enforcement detained multiple people but everyone had been released. As of 3:30 p.m. ET, according to Nowcast 40/29 News Sunrise, some law enforcement agencies were clearing officers from the scene.

However, the Mullins Library remained in temporary lockdown and others around campus were still encouraged to shelter in place.