News Service

03-16-08

UPDATE: 6:15 a.m. March 16

Police question man who reportedly had gun in residence hall

AMES, Iowa -- ISU police are questioning a man who reportedly had been seen with a gun in Willow Hall in the early morning hours Sunday, March 16.

An ISU student reported seeing the man holding a gun. The man, who is not an Iowa State student, was located in Willow Hall room within an hour of the student's call to police. Police report they have not yet found a gun.

Upon receiving the report of an armed individual in the residence hall, officials activated the ISU Alert system, which sends emergency messages to students, faculty and staff via phone, text messages and e-mail.

Willow Hall residents were asked to stay in their rooms until they were advised it was safe to resume normal activities -- that occurred at 2:20 a.m.

Because it's spring break, only a few dozen students were in Willow Hall, which normally houses approximately 500.

-30-

Incident timeline

• 2:20 a.m.: Normal activity resumed in Willow Hall
• 1:59 a.m.: Police found man, who reportedly had been seen with gun, in Willow Hall
• 1:40 a.m.: ISU Alert sent to students, faculty, staff
• 1:32 a.m.: Police locate eyewitness in a Willow Hall room and obtain additional information
• 12:55 a.m: Police receive call from student, notify area law enforcement agencies and immediately respond to scene

Hotline

A hotline is staffed at 294-1020.