A report of an armed person in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center lead police to swarm the north side of campus late Friday afternoon.
There was no confirmation of any threat or suspect found, but the resulting chaos included more than a dozen police cars, road closures, a SWAT callout, student evacuations and the accidental firing of an officer’s gun.
About 4:30 p.m.
Dan Tracy, a graduate assistant in sports administration, says he heard a male voice yell “Gun!” while he was in his office on the third floor of the Health and Physical Activity Building.
4:38 p.m.
Ball State Alert sent out a text message to students that a possible armed assailant was in the area of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Students were advised to avoid the building and also the Health and Physical Activity Building, the Lewellen Aquatic Center and Worthen Arena.
4:40 p.m.
Ball State Alert, @Ballstate_alert on Twitter, tweets its first alert of “Possible armed assailant in the area of Rec and Wellness. Avoid HP, Lewellen, Rec Center and Worthen Arena.”
Police check weapon ammunition counts after an accidental discharge of a weapon caused
an immediate evacuation of bystanders. DN PHOTO COREY OHLENKAMP
The University Police Department continues to secure the area. Ball State Alert sent another text to students advising them to avoid the affected buildings.
5:08 p.m.
Ball State Alert disputes claims of hostage situation at the rec center.
5:39 p.m.
Ball State Alert sends out a message advising students to remain in a safe location.
Aric Fickert, a sophomore exercise science major, speaks to police about what he knew
after an officer’s gun accidentally discharged a few moments earlier. Fickert was
released immediately after questioning. DN PHOTO COREY OHLENKAMP
5:48 p.m.
Reports of an explosion at the rec center turn out to be an officer’s gun that discharged into the ground according to multiple Daily News sources. No one is hurt. Police advise students to move into the Architecture Building.
5:49 p.m.
Police ask students to keep their hands in the air. They briefly point a gun at one student in the front. They’re all at the Architecture Building.
5:51 p.m.
Police tell students they can put their hands down.
5:55 p.m.
Police are searching the students at the Architecture Building.
6 p.m.
Ball State Alert sends out a message to students that the reports of an explosion near the scene are not accurate.
6:03 p.m.
Ball State Alert says another report is inaccurate. The other report says an individual is in handcuffs with guns pointed at him by the police near the Architecture Building.
6:15 p.m.
Ball State Alert notifies students that the explosion heard was an accidental discharge of a service weapon outside of the secured perimeter.
6:23 p.m.
Ball State Alert notifies students that the search of the affected buildings is continuing and reminds students to stay indoors.
6:34 p.m.
Ball State Alert notifies students that police are continuing to assess the affected buildings. It is expected to take another hour.
6:59 p.m.
Ball State Alert sends a text to students letting them know that the Health and Physical Activity Building, the Lewellen Aquatic Center, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and Worthen Arena are the affected buildings that police are assessing. It also reminds students that residence halls will remain secured until an all clear is sent.
7:53 p.m.
Ball State officials issue the all-clear. An emergency alert says to resume all normal activities.
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