>>>UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: The CSUN Police Department was in a heightened state of security today, after a suspected gun was reported on campus.
Police received a call to dispatch at 12:25 p.m. about a student on campus claiming to have a gun near the Oviatt Library, telling a female student that he had a gun in his backpack, asking her if she would like to see it.
Responding within three minutes of the call, the officers on scene searched for the suspected gunman. With no specific threats made to the victim or anyone on campus, police decided not to close down any campus buildings.
No gun was ever seen by the victim and there appeared to be no immediate danger to those on campus.
“We prefer to err on the side of extreme caution,” said Christina Villalobos, community relations officer for the Department of Police Services.
LAPD was notified of the situation for informational purposes, but no officers were dispatched to CSUN in order to assist. Eight CSUN officers responded to the call.
Police searched the campus facilities and did a perimeter sweep around campus with the victim, unable to find the suspect.
Emails were sent to all students and faculty regarding the activity on campus at 1:03 p.m., with many students receiving them up to seven minutes after the notification was sent out.
Students and staff inside and outside the Oviatt Library did not all see the police activity.
“I didn’t see anything pertaining to that event,” said Stephen Kutay, a digital services librarian who was on the second floor of the Oviatt.
Samson Aframian, a junior in accounting, did not see anything until the police started to clear out of the building.
“I saw a bunch of cops walking around and heard a bunch of microphones, saying all clear,” said Aframian.
An all clear message was sent out to students and faculty notifying them that no suspect or threat was found at 1:41 p.m.
“Bringing a firearm to a university campus is a felony, and taken seriously,” said Captain Alfredo Fernandez, second in command for the Department of Police Services.
The suspect is described as a 6-foot-tall white male, approximately 20 to 25 years old between 150 and 175 pounds, last wearing a long sleeve blue shirt, baggy blue faded jeans and white tennis shoes.
Fernandez asks that all faculty and students to remain vigilant.
If anyone has any information please call the CSUN Police dispatch (818) 677-2111, and anonymous tips can call (818) 677-TIPS.
>>>UPDATE 1:51 p.m.: CSUN police sent an email out with an all clear: “The police situation is ALL CLEAR. Officers have completed a thorough search of campus facilities and no suspect was located. At this time, police have determined that there is no threat to the campus community.”
>>>UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Mark Stover, dean of the Oviatt library, only knows about what was sent out in the email from CSUN police. As of now the library has not been evacuated. We are waiting for CSUN police department to update us.
An email was sent to the CSUN community at 1:10 p.m. stating: “If you are near the Oviatt Library, you may notice a heightened police presence due to a unsubstantiated threat of a person who disclosed they had a gun in their backpack. A gun was not seen. Police are searching the campus. We are not evacuating campus buildings. Further information to follow.”
Check back for updates
