‘My son is…: UMass Lowell parent’s scared reaction to active shooter alert; lockdown issued

An alert was sent for a weapons incident at Riverview Suites, South Campus, in the University of Massachusetts Lowell, on Wednesday.

News of a weapons incident alert at Riverview Suites, South Campus, in the University of Massachusetts Lowell had left many parents scared for their children's safety. There is no active shooter situation, no evidence of shots fired at University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), police has said. The status of the suspect, seen in the video, is unclear.

The news of a weapons incident alert at UMass comes days after a gunman opened fire at a school-affiliated church in Minneapolis. (X/@Dragonboy155)

The news came days after a gunman opened fire at a school-affiliated church in Minneapolis, killing two children. Meanwhile, all classes and events at UMass Lowell remain canceled for the rest of the day.

An official statement from the university on the incident had said “Police from UMass Lowell and the city of Lowell were alerted this afternoon to reports of a male on South Campus carrying an object suspected of being a firearm. There was no report of a shooting,” adding, “A campus-wide shelter in place order has been issued as UMass Lowell and city police attempt to find this individual. State police have been dispatched to campus, as well.”

Parents express fear

“All the students at UMass Lowell got an emergency text alert. My son included,” yet another person commented, on a post that purportedly showed initial visuals of the suspect.

As per one alert, authorities were looking for a 5'5 Asian male in a gray or white sweatshirt and black shorts.

Rep Lori Trahan on X had said that she was actively monitoring the situation “I'm actively monitoring the alert of a potentially armed individual near UMass Lowell’s South Campus and in touch with local officials. If you are in Lowell, please follow directions from Lowell Police Department (Official) and UMass Lowell.”