UC Berkeley campus lockdown over person ‘who may want to harm individuals’ is lifted

Authorities say there is ‘NOT an active shooter’ at the university near San Francisco

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California’s UC Berkeley campus was placed under lockdown for hours after the university received a threat from a person “who may want to harm individuals”.

Police at the university, located just of San Francisco, ordered studnets and staff to shelter in place but said that they were not dealing with an active shooter.

“Police are actively looking for a person who may want to harm specific individuals,” UC Berkeley police tweeted. “There is NOT an active shooter on campus.”

And they added: “Campus police continue to investigate this credible campus-wide threat. If you are not on campus, please stay away from the area.”

Students and staff were told to go inside and move away from doors and windows at around 9.30am on Thursday, while all buildings were closed and classes canceled.

Officers were seen sweeping the Student Union building after the threat was received via email, according to FOX2.

A UC Berkeley spokesperson said, “For the time being, all I can say is that there is a police investigation into a possible threat and that everyone on campus has been asked to shelter in place. In addition, those not on campus are being urged to stay away.”

Berkeley High School, Berkeley Technology Academy, Willard Middle School, Emerson Elementary School, Sylvia Mendez Elementary School, Washington Elementary School and King Child Development Center were all placed on “soft lockdown,” according to the Berkeley Unified School District.

The lockdown was eventually lifted at 1.40pm after an investigation by campus police.