UNC experiences second lockdown in 3 weeks following reports of armed person on campus

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was under lockdown for the second time in three weeks after a 12:54 p.m. Alert Carolina warned of an “armed, dangerous person on or near campus.”

An all-clear was issued by Alert Carolina at 2:11 p.m., with a DukeAlert indicating the same at 2:17 p.m. The suspect, Michael Deonte Harris, 27, of Durham, was arrested by the Chapel Hill Police Department around 2:45 p.m., after the all-clear was issued.

No shots were fired per a 1:58 p.m. update from the Daily Tar Heel. A man allegedly waved a gun at an on-campus bagel shop in UNC's student union over an employment-related conflict, a top UNC official told the DTH. Students, faculty and staff at UNC were advised to stay indoors and shelter in place during the lockdown.

A DukeAlert informing Duke community members of the lockdown at UNC was sent out at 1:38 p.m.  Members of the Duke community were urged to "stay away from the UNC campus," the DukeAlert read. According to the DukeAlert, the Robertson Express bus service to UNC-Chapel Hill was suspended. 

A Robertson Express bus left the Duke bus stop shortly after 1 p.m. Both Robertson buses were parked at the Washington Duke Inn while the lockdown occurred, wrote Greg Phillips, executive director of editorial content and media relations, in an email to The Chronicle. Bus service to UNC resumed at 2:30 p.m.

All schools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district entered a “Secure Mode” lockdown following the alert. Classes at CHCC schools continued, but doors were locked and people were not be allowed to enter or leave buildings. CHCC schools exited "Secure Mode" at 2:30 p.m. following the all-clear from UNC officials.

This lockdown follows an Aug. 28 shooting in which one UNC faculty member was killed.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.


Adway S. Wadekar profile
Adway S. Wadekar | News Editor

Adway S. Wadekar is a Trinity junior and former news editor of The Chronicle's 119th volume.

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