Update: YSU Lockdown Lifted, Suspect is in Custody
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A campus lockdown at Youngstown State University is lifted and an individual at the core of the lockdown has turned himself in and is in custody, the university reported minutes ago.
Classes at YSU will resume at 3 p.m. the university also said in an email sent around 1:13 p.m.
The YSU campus and several neighboring facilities went on lockdown after an individual with a firearm was reported spotted on the college campus around 11:30 a.m.
No shots were fired and no one was injured, according to a spokesman for the YSU Police Department.
“Someone pulled a gun on someone else. These two had a beef with each other,” he said earlier today. “There was a gun. The person that had the gun fled out the door toward the north side, toward the rec center. Everyone’s out looking for this guy.”
Several local agencies including the sheriff’s department and police were looking for the suspect.
In a tweet by the official YSU Twitter account, being sought was “a black male, red hoodie, with red and white lettering, dreadlocks and black backpack.”
YSU sent students an alert around 11:30 a.m. advising that the campus was in lockdown after a suspect was at large with a firearm, last seen by the campus recreation center.
“The university was alerted to an individual on campus with a firearm. University police are in the process of investigating the report,” said Ron Cole, YSU public information officer, in an email. No injuries were reported.
Those on campus were being advised to stay put until further notice. Individuals were free to walk around within the buildings but were being advised to stay inside for now, according to reports from campus. People also are being advised to stay away from campus.
About 10 minutes after YSU’s advisory went out, an alert from Mercy Health-Youngstown advised that the St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital campus was on lockdown following the YSU alert.
“Following the YSU campus’ lockdown as an armed suspect is on the loose, our campus followed suit to ensure the safety of our patients, employees and visitors,” Mercy spokesman Jonathon Fauvie said. The emergency department will continue to accept patients with additional security, he added.
At noon, the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County sent an email advising that Main Library near the YSU campus also is on lockdown until further notice. “Patrons heading to the Main Library for library service should be advised that they will not be able to enter during this lockdown period,” according to the advisory.
Both Mercy and the library announced that their lockdowns have been lifted.
Corey Patrick, spokesman for the Youngstown Business Incubator, said YBI was monitoring updates from YSU and Mercy. Doors on YBI’s five buildings are locked all day every day for security.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
