Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Thursday 21 April 2022 23:24 BST
Comments
(Getty Images)
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in