Chattanooga, August 26, 2025
News Summary
Authorities confirmed that a reported active shooter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was false, leading to extensive police responses and campus lockdowns. Students were evacuated as law enforcement swept the area, resulting in significant disruption during the semester’s first week. The lockdown was lifted after no threat was found, although similar hoax calls have been reported at other universities. Behavioral support will be provided for affected students following the incident.
Chattanooga
Authorities confirmed that a report of an active shooter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) on Thursday was false, resulting in an extensive police response and campus lockdowns.
The alarming report led to lockdowns of the university campus, surrounding government buildings, and nearby downtown businesses, causing significant disruption during the first week of the semester. Students were evacuated from classrooms as law enforcement conducted thorough sweeps of the area.
The university announced that the all-clear was given and the lockdown lifted at 1:51 p.m., with no evidence of a threat found. Following the announcement, students gradually returned to their classrooms and buildings.
The incident prompted a swift response from multiple law enforcement agencies, including UTC campus police, the Chattanooga police, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI, who are investigating the false report. No individuals were detained, and no injuries were reported during the situation.
During the incident, Erlanger Hospital also received an unfounded call about a shooting, adding to the confusion. Chattanooga’s Police Chief emphasized the critical importance of taking such calls seriously to preserve life. Despite this incident, the response protocol of the department remains unchanged, regardless of the previous occurrence of hoax calls.
The initial alert about a potential active shooter was issued by the university at 12:42 p.m., shortly followed by a notification from the Hamilton County emergency alert system around 12:50 p.m. By 1:02 p.m., Chattanooga Police were collaborating with campus police for the investigation.
Students expressed feelings of panic and confusion during the evacuation process, describing a chaotic scene as law enforcement officers advised them to leave quickly. The campus Chancellor expressed appreciation for the calm response from the community and noted that counseling services would be available for those affected.
Classes and activities for the remainder of the day were canceled, allowing students and nonessential employees to leave the campus safely. The fraudulent call is being investigated as a potential case of “swatting,” a criminal hoax designed to mislead law enforcement into believing there is an emergency situation needing immediate attention.
This incident is further underscored by a troubling trend of similar false reports of active shooter situations occurring at various universities, such as Villanova and the University of South Carolina.
FAQs
What caused the lockdown at UTC?
A false report of an active shooter prompted the lockdown and evacuation of the campus, government buildings, and nearby businesses.
When was the lockdown lifted?
The lockdown was lifted at 1:51 p.m. after authorities found no evidence of a threat.
Was anyone injured during the incident?
No injuries were reported during the incident.
What law enforcement agencies were involved?
The response involved UTC campus police, Chattanooga police, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI.
What is “swatting”?
“Swatting” is a criminal hoax that misleads law enforcement into responding to a non-existent emergency, often endangering lives and misusing police resources.
Incident Overview
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 12:42 p.m. | Initial alert issued regarding an active shooter |
| 12:50 p.m. | Follow-up notification from the Hamilton County emergency alert system |
| 1:02 p.m. | Collaboration between Chattanooga Police and campus police begins |
| 1:51 p.m. | Lockdown lifted; all-clear announced |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Lockdown After False Shooter Report
Tennessee’s New School Choice Legislation Passed
Investigation Underway Following Tragic Death of 18-Year-Old in Knox County
Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: UTC Sends Out Message Warning of Potential Active Shooter
- Google Search: UTC active shooter
- HuffPost: Villanova Reported Shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Villanova Shooting
- KSL TV: Police Respond to Active Shooter Report at Villanova University
- Google News: Villanova active shooter
- Fox 28 Savannah: University of South Carolina Active Shooter Alert Swatting Hoax
- Google Scholar: Active shooter swatting
- Local 3 News: False Weapon Threat at University of Tennessee
- Wikipedia: Swatting
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