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WIU on Lock-Down Following Shooting Threat

10:30 CDT - 26 March 2008

Western Illinois University on Lock-Down Following Shooting threat

EmergencyNet News Exclusive Report

McCOMB, IL: According to students at Western Illinois University (WIU), the school has been placed on alert due to a possible threat about a shooting. Western Illinois University is taking precautions after a threatening note was discovered in an off-campus apartment complex regarding a shooting on campus.

According to the WIU Office of Public Safety Director Bob Fitzgerald, an employee of an off campus apartment complex reported receiving a handwritten note in the complex's payment drop-box that indicated "there would be a shooting on the WIU campus today."

"While this is an anonymous off-campus threat, it is imperative that we take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students, staff and faculty," WIU President Al Goldfarb said.

WIU says residence halls are locked and students will be allowed to miss classes, if they chose to stay home. A warning has also been issued using Western's emergency alert system.

An ERRI staff member's daughter, who attends the university, confirmed that the alert had been received via cell phone and the threat is being taken seriously by students and faculty. She told EmergencyNet News that a number of police cars can be seen on campus and that residence halls are on lock-down, allowing only students with keys to enter.

The actual veracity of the threat has not been determined, and a police investigation is ongoing at the time of this report. Authorities said that the alert was issued with an abundance of caution following the shooting incident at Northern Illinois University (NIU) that resulted in the deaths of six people.

Any unusual or suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Office of Public Safety by calling 9-1-1 from any campus phone or 309-298-1949. There are also 51 emergency callboxes located throughout campus. Watch EmergencyNet News for more on this still developing story, as circumstances warrant...