Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, experienced a tense situation on Monday evening when a report of a possible shooting led to the campus being put on lockdown. Upon investigation by the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that no shooting had actually taken place.
The sheriff’s office informed the public via a Facebook post that numerous law enforcement officials remained on the university grounds to continue examining the situation. They urged residents to avoid the area to allow officials to proceed with their work efficiently.
Sheriff Matt Lutz explained that the misunderstanding stemmed from a staff member overhearing students talking about a gun and hostage incident. This discussion was in fact about a domestic disagreement involving two students that occurred earlier the same day, and fortunately, it did not result in any injuries.
In response to the initial report, Muskingum University had issued a statement on its website announcing the potential threat and advising everyone on campus to seek shelter immediately. They promised to update the campus community as they obtained more information.
Muskingum University is a liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, located approximately 70 miles east of Columbus. According to its website, the university serves over 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students.
