After reports of ‘loud bangs’ near Currier Residence Hall, officers confirmed no shots were fired.
Currier Hall was cleared by officers late Wednesday after reports of “loud bangs” near the residential building.
Around 11 p.m. Wednesday, Daily Iowan reporters heard from students via texts, Snapchats, and calls of a hectic scene inside Currier Hall. Police were in the dorm’s hallways,
while RAs informed their residents to stay inside.
Around 11:20 p.m., students were reporting to DI staffers that they heard the scene was clear.
At 11:24 p.m., the first Hawk Alert of the night said “HAWK ALERT Reports of loud bangs at Currier Hall, unsubstantiated possible shots fired. Officers are on scene. Situation is secure.”
Prior to this report, the UI Department of Public Safety had no information to give to the DI, except that an alert was on its way.
The UI Public Safety defines Hawk Alerts as: “… triggered by an event that is currently occurring on or imminently threatening the UI campus. UI [Public Safety] initiates Hawk Alerts for any significant emergency or dangerous situation occurring on the campus involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students and employees.”
At 11:52 p.m., 50 minutes after DI reporters first heard about the situation, a second Hawk Alert was sent to students stating no shots were fired and there was no suspicious activity.
“Currier Hall has been cleared by officers; resume normal activity. No shots were fired or any suspicious activity,” the update said.
UPDATE (March 1, 12:15 p.m.): The University of Iowa Department of Public Safety posted a statement on their website regarding the Wednesday night incident. A student reported to the department at 10:58 p.m. that he heard what sounded like multiple gun shots outside his room in Currier Residence Hall, the statement said.
Police arrived at the scene and “quickly” determined that shots had not been fired; however, they decided to send a Hawk Alert as the department received many calls from concerned students and parents.
— Grace Pateras
