CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVF) — The all clear has been given on a man carrying a rifle who was spotted walking around the University of Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC) campus.
Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy said in a press conference that they received reports earlier this morning of a man walking near campus, possibly carrying a rifle and a gun belt.
Responding to that call, Chattanooga and UTC police went to the area immediately.
When officers were unable to locate a suspect, they worked backwards to locate the person who first reported the man.
Roddy said that after some investigation, they have determined the reported man to have been a police officer walking home at the end of his shift - while carrying items taken out of his car - to go to bed.
Following that conclusion, UTC posted a tweet confirming the all clear, saying the campus is now fully operational.
UTC-ALERT All clear on campus. UTC & Chatt. Police have concluded their investigation and confirm there is no threat to campus. Campus is fully operational.
— UTChattanooga (@UTChattanooga) August 28, 2019
During the search for a suspect, Fletcher Hall was placed on lockdown.
UTC Police Chief Bob Ratchford said Fletcher Hall was the only location on campus placed on lockdown, because it's the only location they received any information regarding a potential suspect. They determined it to be the only place potentially impacted.
