Police find no threat at UTC

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ( WDEF) — After reports of a suspicious person, Chattanooga and UTC Police determined there was no threat to campus.

Chattanooga Police say the person who made the initial call actually saw an off duty police office in full uniform, going home at the end of their shift.

It was a busy scene Wednesday afternoon at UTC, with a lot of police presence.

They were investigating a call about a suspicious person. There were also reports the person was possibly carrying a rifle.

Fletcher Hall was evacuated.

“We were just sitting in class and everybody got the alert and everything and we were sitting there for about 20 minutes until we were allowed to leave. Because our class ended and then as soon as I stepped out the door there were police officers saying go, go go,” UTC student Cole Hixon said.

Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy says they got in contact with the person who made the initial report.

“What we determined at this time is it looks like a Chattanooga Police Officer at the end of their shift, wearing a full police uniform had retrieved items out of their car and were walking towards there residence to go to bed,” Chief Roddy said.

He says this shows how quickly incorrect information can spread.

“Because of concerns and the spread of social media and second and third and tenth hand information lead to an individual in a ski mask, lead to hostages in a basement,” Chief Roddy said.

UTC Police Chief Robert Ratchford says they encourage people to report suspicious activity.

“We are thankful that there was nothing that came from this and it was resolved. Otherwise if we were not to be contacted we wouldn’t know what is going on. We appreciate the people that are actually reporting suspicious activity to us and we strongly recommend that they do that,” Chief Ratchford said.

“While I don’t critique individuals that see it themselves, I do ask people to pause for a moment and consider where their information is coming from and is it correct. Is it something that is actually touching the incident before they pass it along, because it does create real fear. It may not create a real threat, but it creates real unnecessary fear for individuals that were worrying about their children today,” Chief Roddy said.

UTC Police say the investigation was centered at Fletcher Hall, so they evacuated that building and did not lockdown the campus.

They say they have trainings with faculty and students about what to do in emergency situations.

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1:30 UPDATE: Chattanooga Police give all clear at UTC… no gunman. They say the person actually saw a Chattanooga Police officer who was going home after a shift.

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1:15 update:

UTC-ALERT Secondary sweep of Fletcher is being conducted. No suspicious person found. Fletcher only building searched. Police will be on campus into the evening

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CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Police have swarmed on UTC after the university issued an alert that a man was spotted with a weapon.

The alert said they were searching for a white man with blond hair carrying a rifle, who was walking on East 8th Street.

There were other reports of a person with a gun at Fletcher Hall.

That building has been evacuated and others are sheltering in place.

Police are going through the building now.

They are also directing traffic away from the campus.

There have been no reports at this point of any shooting.

If you have info on this case, please call UTC Police 423-425-4357.