Police comb US Air Force Academy grounds following reports of active shooter
The US Air Force Academy reported on Twitter that there is an active shooter on its grounds. Police have been searching the dorms of the military school for about an hour and reported no suspect was found.
The academy in Colorado was placed on lockdown at around 10 p.m. MDT, and warning text messages were sent to airmen informing them of the incident, AP reports citing authorities.
We received reports of active shooter on Academy grounds. There are no confirmation of shots fired. Security forces are sweeping the area.
— USAFA (Official) (@AF_Academy) September 30, 2017
Please refrain from calling the Academy Law Enforcement Desk & Base Defense Operations Ctr so we can effectively handle the current incident
— USAFA (Official) (@AF_Academy) September 30, 2017
El Paso County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter that military personnel and police were clearing dorms, and that there were no reported injuries.
EPSO and military personnel investigating shots fired on the Air Force Academy . Nothing is confirmed yet. More info will be forthcoming. pic.twitter.com/cMBuACfxUY
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) September 30, 2017
Within an hour of El Paso police tweeting about the investigation of the incident, a search of the academy dorms was completed, according to County Sheriff's Office.
Mil personnel & LE are clearing dorms including knocking on doors to check on cadets on USAFA. No reported injuries or shots fired. pic.twitter.com/evxP89FeGi
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) September 30, 2017
Law-enforcement has completed a search of the dorms on Air Force Academy grounds. No injuries and no active shooter. pic.twitter.com/KlS7Od8bXU
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) September 30, 2017
The US Air Force Academy later reported on Twitter that “everyone is safe” and said that no shots or injuries had been confirmed. In a separate post, it said that the cause of the reports will be further investigated.
All clear: The incident has concluded. There are no confirmed shots fired & no injuries. Everyone is safe.
— USAFA (Official) (@AF_Academy) September 30, 2017
We will continue to investigate the cause of the reports.
— USAFA (Official) (@AF_Academy) September 30, 2017
Prior to the incident, the chief of the Air Force Academy gave a speech speech over a scandal that was unveiled earlier this week. Racial slurs had been written on message boards at the academy's preparatory school.
“You should be outraged as an airman and as a human being,” Lt. Gen. Jay B. Silveria told his audience of cadets and officers on Friday.
“If you can't treat someone from another race or a different color skin with dignity and respect then you need to get out," the superintendent said.
"If you can't treat someone with dignity and respect--then you need to get out."-Lt. Gen. Jay B. Silveria, Superintendent @AF_Academypic.twitter.com/njCktv5Fmp
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) September 28, 2017
