In a developing story, Indiana State University Southeast was put on lockdown on Thursday after reports of a gunman on campus. About an hour and a half later, the "gun" was discovered to be an umbrella.
A student reported an armed man on campus at around 12:30pm, but an "all clear" status was delivered at 2pm.
University spokesperson Kendra Barnes told WDRB News that a student called police to report a "white male 5' 10" with a shaved head, carrying a camouflaged backpack with what appeared to be a weapon."
An alert was sent to students and staff, as well as followers of the university's social media accounts.
"IU Southeast Emergency!" a tweet sent at 1:10 p.m. read. "An armed person is on campus. Go into nearest room and lock door. Follow instructions from authorities."
Shelter in place instructions and a description of the suspect followed, as New Albany and campus police scrambled to find the allegedly armed person. The campus was secured by 2pm.
"Update: All Clear," a IU Southeast tweet read. "The suspect has been located and the reported weapon has been identified as an umbrella. At this time it is safe to leave."
On September 9, there was a shooting in the parking lot of Stellar Leadership Academy – a school for at-risk youth in Northwest Miami-Dade County. A shot was fired after a group of students began fighting in the parking lot, and one person was struck in the buttocks. Five teens were arrested in connection with the incident.
The last fatal school shooting in the US was June 10 in Troutdale, Oregon. A Reynolds High School student, Jared Michael Padgett, opened fire in the gym locker room, killing 14-year-old Emilio Hoffman. Padgett, 15, also shot a teacher in the hip before turning the gun on himself.
The Stellar Leadership Academy shooting was the 38<sup>th school shooting this year, and the 75<sup>th shooting since the December 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.
