A wave of terror swept across American higher education institutions on Wednesday as multiple universities were forced into simultaneous lockdowns following a series of threatening calls that turned out to be a coordinated swatting hoax.
The alarming incidents triggered massive emergency responses at campuses including Cornell University in New York and the University of Utah, with armed police swarming academic buildings and students instructed to shelter in place amid fears of active shooters.
Coordinated Chaos Across Campuses
According to campus authorities and law enforcement, the lockdowns were initiated following detailed threats specifically targeting university buildings and facilities. At Cornell University, the threat focused on the Center for Jewish Living, prompting immediate security protocols and police deployment.
The University of Utah experienced similar chaos when a threat was reported at the Alfred Emery Building, home to the College of Social and Behavioral Science. Campus police swiftly responded with rifles drawn, evacuating buildings and conducting thorough room-by-room searches.
The Swatting Revelation
After hours of tension and intensive police investigations, authorities confirmed the terrifying threats were part of an elaborate swatting campaign - the malicious practice of making hoax emergency calls to trigger massive armed responses.
Cornell University Police confirmed their threat was "determined to be a swatting incident" after finding no evidence of danger. Similarly, Utah campus police reported the building was "declared safe" following their exhaustive search operation.
National Pattern Emerges
The incidents appear to be part of a broader pattern affecting educational institutions across the United States. Earlier this month, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology both faced similar swatting threats, suggesting a coordinated campaign of terror targeting prestigious American universities.
University officials have emphasized that despite the false alarms, they treat all threats with maximum seriousness. "We would rather err on the side of caution", stated one campus security director, highlighting the impossible dilemma facing institutions when receiving such threats.
Campus Life Disrupted
The lockdowns caused significant disruption to academic activities, with classes cancelled and campus operations suspended during the emergency responses. Students reported moments of genuine fear as police vehicles surrounded buildings and emergency alerts flooded their phones.
Many institutions have now enhanced their security protocols and communication systems in response to the growing trend of swatting incidents targeting educational facilities.
