Lynchburg College experienced an incident early this morning prompting use of the new Early Alert Warning system. At approximately 12:30 a.m. Lyncom, the City's Emergency Communications Center, informed us they had received a 911 call from a person in the first floor bathroom of Tate Hall stating there was a hostage situation.
We immediately sounded the fire alarm in Tate to empty the building and directed all residents to the Ballroom in the Hall Campus Center. Then we activated the Early Alert Siren - specifically the "Intruder Alert" message and went to primary lockdown. The Lynchburg Police Department SWAT Team set up a perimeter around Tate Hall and shortly thereafter entered the building conducting a room-to-room sweep. While a few Tate residents were found safely in their rooms, no hostage, no weapons, and no injured persons were found.
Through the 911 call and information provided by Tate Hall residents we were able to ascertain the name of the suspect who made the 911 call. He was identified as a non- student and it appeared he was visiting a Tate Hall resident. A description of the suspect was issued to all LPD patrols. He was apprehended on Wards Road near the Kroger Store after LPD received a tip. There was no hostage situation and thus the suspect was arrested for making a false report. We have no idea as to the suspect's motivation for making such a report. After the suspect was placed in custody and Tate Hall was deemed safe and secure by the LPD SWAT Team, all residents were able to return to their rooms. The "all clear" message was given to the entire campus shortly before 4:00 a.m.
My compliments to all those who worked through the night to see this difficult situation through to a successful conclusion. The Early Alert System worked well, our students were very cooperative and helpful, the Lynchburg Police Department was highly responsive and professional in carrying out their duties, and most importantly, no one was injured. While it was a night of great inconvenience, we are gratified to know that our new Early Alert Warning system is in excellent working order, a comforting fact for us all.
John G. Eccles
Vice President and Dean for Student Development