If you can imagine the cast of "The Big Bang Theory" fatigues and protective gear getting ready for a competitive game of paintball this is what likely happened or something like that. I have often worried about doctoral candidates getting ready for paintball at some U.S. university being mistaken for real shooters one day. There has to be some way for police to tell the two types apart without the doctoral candidates being shot.
I guess the only sure way is the master's and doctoral candidates set up for paintball won't be shooting real bullets.
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Police: CCSU Lockdown May Have Been A Halloween Costume Mishap
| Patch.com | - |
Officials
said three people are in custody for questioning after reports of a man
in camouflage with apparent weapons led to a lockdown and SWAT response
at the university on Monday.
Police: CCSU Lockdown May Have Been A Halloween Costume Mishap
Officials said three
people are in custody for questioning after reports of a man in
camouflage with apparent weapons led to a lockdown and SWAT response at
the university on Monday.
James Hall at CCSU. (Credit: Associated Press)
The three have all been forthcoming with officers and no weapons were found in their possession after a complex response that included assistance from three SWAT teams from throughout the region, CCSU Police Chief Chris Cervoni said.
"The three were located in James Hall on the fourth floor," Cervoni said. "The suspect was seen running, which caused alarm to several people who reported the incident. We are looking into whether it may be a Halloween costume."
New Britain Police Chief James Wardwell said the department recived emergency calls "from multiple students" who witnessed a man get off a bus on Stanley Street wearing camouflage and carrying what appeared to be a samurai sword, as well as a backpack and possibly a handgun. He then began walking, then running before heading to Jame Hall, a suite-style residence hall on the south side of campus.
Wardwell said CCSU police were notified and several agencies mobilized SAWT units in response. CCSU took the lead on the investigation, he said.
The name of the man, who was located without incident along with two others as they were leaving a room, has not been released. No charges have been filed at this time, Cervoni said.
Cervoni said video surveillance, including cameras monitoring the entrance to the dorms, was used to identify the suspect. The man is a CCSU student, he said, though he was unable to comment further on the two people with the man.
"We have them entering the building," he said. "I've received picture and there was what appeared to be a sword-like item as initially called in."
No injuries were reported and no threats made, police said. James Hall was evacuated floor by floor as part of the SWAT response. Nearby HALS Academy and Holmes Elementary schools were placed into a modified lockdown after the "campus emergency," according to officials.
FBI and Homeland Security were also notified as part of the response. The lockdown was lifted around 3 p.m., after nearly three hours. It is believed the student should have received an alert but police said he did not immediately notify them he may be the suspect.
Cervoni said the school will certainly look at the response to see if proper protocol is in place.
Gov. Dannel Malloy praised the response, saying that state and local officials mobilized quickly and were able to create a safe barrier to protect others in case the event became violent.
He said the incident also shows the importance of residents taking an active role in their safety.
"While there was no act of violence today, the actions taken once these reports came in are exactly why it is so important to say something if you see something," Malloy said. "Unfortunately, incidents like these will occur, but today showed us the ideal way for them to conclude – with no one seriously harmed.”
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