UT classes called off after
shooting at
library
AUSTIN — University of Texas President Bill Powers cancelled classes for today and the campus was locked down after police said a man went into the Perry-Castañeda Library and shot and killed himself.
Because of conflicting descriptions of the man and what weapon he was carrying, the campus was shut down as police searched for a possible second suspect.
Police said they had identified an AK-47 and that they believed the man who died was dressed in black and wearing a ski mask. No details were given about the man’s identity or background.
"The armed suspect is dead. No other injuries have been reported," Powers said in an email to students.
"I want you to know that the campus remains locked down. All students, faculty, staff and visitors should stay indoors and continue to follow instructions (from loudspeakers, email, text messages and uniformed police officers). You will be notified when the situation becomes stable."
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said police were investigating two crime scenes — the one where he said a gunman killed himself and an area "where some other rounds were fired outdoors."
Buildings also were being searched "to eliminate any possibility of any explosive ordinances that may have been left behind by one or more suspects," Acevedo said.
He added, "Although there are reports of a second suspect, what we are doing right now is being methodical to eliminate a second suspect."
University of Texas Chief of Police Robert Dahlstrom said there was no motive known at this time. Asked whether the man with the gun was dressed all in black and wearing a ski mask, Dahlstrom said, "I have not seen him. That is what I am aware of."
Dahlstrom said officials hoped to open the north end of campus shortly but other areas would remained closed to allow searches to be conducted. The report of the armed man came in around 8 a.m., he said.
"We had a shooter on campus this morning. He went into the Perry-Castañeda Library. He’s dead, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound," said UT spokesman Don Hale. "He didn’t shoot at anybody else, as far as we know," he said. "He went into the library, I’m told it was the 6th floor of the library, and shot himself."
Hale said the lockdown was part of the campus system in which the community is alerted through sirens, text messages and online.
"When something like this occurs we have a campus system that goes into effect. Sirens go off and a loudspeaker announcement is made across campus for people to stay in place and stay in the buildings they’re in. That’s the situation we’re in right now," Hale said.
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