Arkansas State University on brief lockdown after reports of gunmen on campus
Arkansas State University was on a brief lockdown following reports that armed men had been seen on campus. The incident was resolved by the police without a single shot being fired.
The university initially announced on Twitter that “males with weapons” were reported near the Student Union – a hub of campus activity.
It added that reportedly “the three males all wearing black were last seen walking north near Dean St.”
Report: The possible three males all wearing black were last seen walking north near Dean St.
— Arkansas State (@ArkansasState) February 14, 2016
EVERYONE ON ASU CAMPUS STAY IN YOUR ROOMS AND GET SOMEWHERE SAFE THERE ARE PEOPLE DRESSED IN BLACK WITH GUNS
— Hannah Dickey (@lildickeyy) February 14, 2016
However, CBS affiliate WREG later reported that there was just a single armed suspect, who was detained by the police.
No shots were fired at the campus, as the man surrendered to a SWAT team after the negotiations, Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott said.
The suspect, who was identified as 47-year-old Brad Bartelt, was taken into custody.
A truck Bartelt drove into the middle of the campus was examined by the bomb technicians, AP reported.
The suspect had a 12-gauge shotgun, a can of gasoline, and a 100-pound propane tank in his truck, Elliott said, adding that Bartlet had poured some of the gas onto the vehicle at one point.
