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What's happening at University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Rock County? Shooting, active shooter reports spark panic
Several people took to social media reporting that they received alerts.
UPDATE: The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus in Rock County went on lockdown Friday afternoon after unconfirmed reports of a shooting.
Deputies from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a “shots fired” call just before 3 p.m., but officials did not find an active threat, a spokesperson confirmed.
"We do believe that, at least at this time, the preliminary stuff shows that it most likely was someone setting fireworks off near campus and subsequently hadn't mentioned anything when the large police response came," Rock County Sheriff Curtis Fell told WISN.
Law enforcement has since given the all-clear and lifted the lockdown.
ORIGINAL STORY: Unconfirmed reports of a shooting and active threat near the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in Rock County have sparked panic. Several people took to social media reporting that they received alerts. However, it appears there is no active threat on campus.
The university shared the following alert on its official website:
"Police have responded to a report of a life safety threat on the Rock County Campus. Run! Hide! Fight!
There is no emergency and no active threat on the Whitewater Campus.
More information will be communication as soon as possible."
Authorities have not released additional details about the situation.
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Social media reports
Several local residents and witnesses took to social media claiming that shots were fired near the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater campus.
One person wrote on Facebook, "Hearing reports of a shooting at UW-Whitewater, with shots fired around 2:55 pm."
Another claimed, "3 shots fired on campus at 2:55 police responded minutes after."
A third person reported, "Students are still on winter break. My son goes back Monday. Construction crew were on site and locked themselves in a room after hearing the shots."
Another added, "I am listening to the scanner. No reports of anybody hurt or down at the moment. Officers clearing campus strategically."
These posts remain unverified, and authorities have not confirmed whether any shots were actually fired near the campus.
