Series of swatting hoaxes hits campuses across the South and Midwest, with Kansas State reporting a false alert at Hale Library
Kansas State University said a swatting attempt was intercepted on Monday afternoon at the Hale Library on its Manhattan campus. The alert originated from a call to Riley County Dispatch on an administrative line claiming active violence. City and campus officers responded immediately, determined there was no threat, and the building was released to normal operations. A KSU statement framed the incident as similar to other swatting reports unfolding at universities nationwide.
The same pattern appeared at campuses in the Southeast. In Columbia, South Carolina, an alert was issued Sunday evening after a report of an active shooter near the Thomas Cooper Library. Officials later said there was no evidence of a shooter. The campus briefly urged students and staff to shelter in place while law enforcement cleared the building floor by floor. By around 8 p.m. local time, the university issued an all-clear.
On Monday afternoon, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville reported an active shooter alert tied to Mullins Library and surrounding areas. Police could not confirm gunshots or injuries, and no crime scenes were identified as of mid-afternoon. An emergency alert went out urging people to avoid the Mullins Library area and to shelter in place where advised. Law enforcement detained several people, but they were released as the sweep continued. Mullins Library remained in lockdown for a time, while other campus locations were cleared and campus operations returned to normal.
Authorities and university communications teams note that these incidents appear to be part of a broader nationwide surge in swatting attempts at colleges and universities. Officials stress the importance of responding quickly to such alerts while verifying the threat to prevent unnecessary disruption and to keep students and staff safe. Students are urged to rely on official campus channels for information and to avoid spreading unverified reports.
Context and value add:
– These hoaxes consistently prompt rapid emergency responses, diverting resources and creating widespread anxiety among campus communities.
– While no injuries are reported in these cases, the repeated pattern underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and robust verification protocols by campus security teams.
– If you’re a student or staff member, stay aware of your campus emergency notification system, have a personal safety plan, and report any suspicious activity through official channels.
Summary:
Universities in Kansas, South Carolina, and Arkansas reported swatting hoaxes over the past two days, prompting swift law enforcement responses, brief shelter-in-place advisories, and eventual all-clear notices. No threats or injuries were confirmed in these incidents, but the episodes highlight a troubling nationwide trend and the ongoing effort to deter these malicious acts. Investigations are expected to continue to identify and hold accountable those responsible.
Additional note:
– If you have firsthand accounts or security updates from your campus, providing them through official channels can help improve the accuracy and speed of future responses.