Police searching for armed suspect at Georgia university

Columbus State University police say they’re searching the Georgia campus after a report of an armed suspect in a student residence hall.

Columbus State University police say they’re searching the Georgia campus after a report of an armed suspect in a student residence hall.

In an alert to students, the university said residents are encouraged to stay in their rooms; and others should avoid the area. (Georgia university)

Columbus State said in a statement that campus police Wednesday afternoon were searching for a man described as being 17 to 19 years old, wearing dark clothes and a stocking cap.

In an alert to students, the university said residents are encouraged to stay in their rooms; and others should avoid the area.

Officials said the search was focused on Clearview Hall, a new residential complex housing first-year students in suite-style housing. Video shot by The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer shows officers in tactical gear walking into the building (http://www.ledger-enquirer.com ).

In an update around 1 p.m., school officials said no one was allowed in or out of Clearview Hall, but “all other campus operations should continue as normal.”

The school is in Columbus, Georgia, about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta.