Massachusetts

3 Students Threatened With Gun in Brandeis University Dorm Room

The suspects remain on the loose

What to Know

  • Brandeis University officials issued a shelter-in-place just before midnight Monday after there was a report of an armed subject on campus.
  • Students were told to take shelter and lock their doors and windows until the noticed was lifted at 2 a.m. Tuesday.
  • Officials said the report was prompted when two people not connected to Brandeis entered a dorm room and threatened 3 students with a gun.

Normal operations have resumed at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts after campus police issued a shelter-in-place late Monday night.

The order was put in place just before midnight after campus police reported an armed subject was on campus. In a tweet, students were told to take shelter and lock their doors and windows until further notice.

“We went into the corner of the room and kind of just stayed there for about two hours and I couldn’t stop shaking," one student told NBC Boston. "It was really scary because we didn’t really know what was going to happen.”

Shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday, the campus lockdown was lifted.

Brandeis said the report that prompted the lockdown was for an armed robbery in the East Quad. The university said two people who are not part of the college community entered a student room, and one of them threatened three students in the room with a gun. The two then fled campus.

Campus and Waltham police searched the campus and surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspects.

"Last night the Brandeis Department of Public Safety received a report of an armed robbery situation in a campus residence hall. They responded to the location and put the campus on lockdown," Brandeis Director of Media Relations Julie Jette said.

No one was hurt, and the university said based on the initial investigation, it appears this was not a random incident.

The order was put in place just before midnight after campus police reported an armed subject was on campus. In a tweet, students were told to take shelter and lock their doors and windows until further notice.

"Students, faculty, and staff are safe, and the university has resumed normal operations," Jette said.

"I know that the Brandeis police force was talking to people right after which is good," said junior Bryan McNamara. "It was good to hear they were having a quick response."

"I have to say I was pretty shocked and surprised because normally I think of this campus as a very safe place and a very residential place," said junior Maddox Kay.

Campus police said they will be reviewing residence hall safety protocols in the wake of the incident.

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