UGA Campus Lockdown After Reports of Armed Individual, Police Say
ATHENS, Ga. — Police in Athens responded to reports of an “armed shooter” on the University of Georgia campus Friday, sparking a swift law enforcement response and widespread concern among students, faculty, and community members.
According to the University of Georgia Police Department, emergency calls began coming in shortly before noon, reporting that an individual with a firearm had been spotted near the central campus area. Officers immediately issued alerts through the university’s emergency notification system, urging students and staff to shelter in place until further notice.
Within minutes, heavily armed officers from UGA Police, Athens-Clarke County Police, and the Georgia State Patrol were deployed across campus. Tactical units searched buildings, while helicopters circled overhead, monitoring the situation from above.
As of early afternoon, no injuries had been reported, and police had not confirmed whether shots were fired. Authorities stressed that the investigation was ongoing and that officers were working carefully to determine the credibility of the threat.
Students described tense moments as classrooms, dorms, and libraries were placed on lockdown. “We were told to stay away from the windows and lock the doors,” said one sophomore, who was studying in the Miller Learning Center when the alert went out. “Everyone was trying to stay calm, but you could tell people were scared.”
Parents of students flooded social media with messages of worry and support, while university officials urged the community to rely on official alerts for accurate updates rather than rumors.
By mid-afternoon, police announced that the immediate threat appeared to have passed, though officers continued to sweep the area and interview witnesses. University officials emphasized that classes and campus operations would remain disrupted until investigators could fully confirm safety.
The University of Georgia, home to more than 40,000 students, has rarely seen incidents of this nature, and Friday’s scare sent shockwaves through the Athens community. Local leaders said they were grateful for the swift response from law enforcement, even as many remained shaken.
“Safety is always our top priority,” the UGA Police Department said in a statement. “We responded immediately and will continue to update the campus community as more information becomes available.”
The investigation remains active, and police have not yet identified a suspect. Authorities are asking anyone with information, photos, or video related to the incident to contact UGA Police directly.
