NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Authorities have confirmed that no shooting took place at Muskingum University on Monday night, despite an earlier report that led to a campus lockdown.
The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office initially received a report about a possible shooting incident on campus. In response, multiple law enforcement officers arrived at the university to investigate the situation thoroughly.
The sheriff’s office later updated the public via Facebook, stating that although officers were still on campus conducting their investigation, there was no active threat. They also advised people to stay away from the area until the investigation was complete.
According to Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz, the misunderstanding stemmed from a university staff member overhearing students discussing a loud domestic dispute that had occurred earlier. The conversation was misinterpreted, leading to the false report of a gunman or a hostage situation.
Law enforcement officials interviewed students and searched campus buildings but found no evidence of a shooting. Once they confirmed there was no danger, the shelter-in-place order was lifted, and normal activities resumed at the university.
Before the clarification from law enforcement, Muskingum University had posted an alert on its website, informing students and staff about the reported shooting and instructing everyone to shelter in place until further notice. The school assured the campus community that updates would be provided as soon as more information became available.
Muskingum University, a liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, is located in New Concord, Ohio, approximately 70 miles east of Columbus. The institution has over 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students.
While the situation caused initial concern, authorities emphasized the importance of verifying information before spreading panic. Sheriff Lutz acknowledged the incident as a misunderstanding and praised law enforcement’s quick response to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The sheriff’s office has not announced any further investigations or actions related to the incident. University officials also thanked law enforcement and assured students that their safety remains a top priority.
The event serves as a reminder to report concerns to authorities responsibly and wait for official confirmations before assuming the worst. Fortunately, this case turned out to be a false alarm, and no one was harmed.
