This is a developing story. The Dallas Express will post updates accordingly.
The University of Arkansas issued an emergency alert at 12:43 p.m. CST on August 25, after reports of an active shooter at Mullins Library. The RazALERT system warned students and staff at 12:28 p.m. to avoid the area and follow “Avoid. Deny. Defend.” protocols.
The alert halted campus operations and forced widespread evacuations. Students and faculty scrambled to secure safe locations across university grounds.
The official RazALERT message read: “RazALERT Emergency Notification: Avoid the area of Mullins Library due to an active shooter reported. Avoid. Deny. Defend.”
The university distributed the warning by text, email, and social media postings.
Students documented the moment with photos and videos shared on social media, showing police presence on the central campus while others sheltered in classrooms.
Law enforcement agencies, including university police and local officers, converged on Mullins Library to address the reported threat. Police also coordinated real-time guidance for students and faculty during the lockdown.
The university reiterated its emergency plan, which directs students and staff to evacuate when possible and barricade rooms if escape is unsafe.
Campus officials continued sending updates through RazALERT as news outlets provided live coverage of the situation.
The university posted another RazALERT on X at 1:44 p.m. that read, “RazALERT: Police are responding to multiple reports around campus. Continue to Avoid. Deny. Defend.” The update urged students and staff to maintain safety protocols while police continued to respond.
According to live coverage from 5News on YouTube, Fayetteville police later confirmed there was not an active shooter situation, even though three calls had been made to law enforcement. University of Arkansas police announced they will open an investigation into the origin of those calls.
University authorities stated that the incident remains under investigation. Further updates will be released as information becomes available.
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