Gavin Vondercrone

Editor-in-Chief

A concerning shelter-in-place order was issued to East Stroudsburg University (ESU) students following a report of an active threat near University Apartments on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 8:01 p.m. The university urged students in all campus buildings to remain in place and avoid the area until all was clear. The order was lifted after law enforcement determined there was no active threat to campus at 8:55 p.m.

ESU, State and local police arrived on the scene following a 911 dispatch call stating there was an active shooter within the University Apartments at 7:41 p.m. 

Lilianna Kelly, a Junior at ESU majoring in psychology, was outside of Hawthorn Suites as cops began arriving at University Apartments. Kelly recounts the reaction from students close to the scene as one of confusion and curiosity.

“Within the span of five to 10 minutes, I’d say 15 cop cars were there. Then, as the cop cars were coming, a horde of maybe 30 to 40 people were just getting closer and closer to the University Apartments and the cop cars,” said Kelly. “Somebody in Hawthorn Suites, out their window, yelled, ‘What the f*ck are you guys doing? Active shooter,’ and everybody started running into Hawthorn Suites. It was absolute chaos.”

Through a door-to-door check of each residence in the complex, it was determined there was no active shooter on campus, no gunshots were fired and there was no threat to campus. The 911 caller was identified and cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation, according to State police.

Kenneth Long, President of ESU, released a statement thanking law enforcement, campus staff and students for their help in ensuring campus safety via email on Thursday morning. Long encouraged students who may need emotional support following the event to utilize the office of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). He highlighted the CARE program referral form as a tool students can use if they have concerns about another student.