The University of Michigan was put on lockdown amid reports of an active shooter at Mason Hall, but it appears to have been a false alarm, officials and witnesses say. There are no reports of injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident began just after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday when an emergency alert was sent to students at the campus in Ann Arbor, telling them to “run, hide, fight” because of an active shooter at Mason Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many police units were called to the scene and witnesses reported seeing officers running with their weapons drawn. But by 6 p.m., officers had not found any evidence to confirm a shooting had taken place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said the report was “unfounded” and likely caused by a group of girls who were popping balloons while screaming. Other students may have mistaken this for gunfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There does not appear to be an active threat to the community. DPSS continues to investigate,” the U-M Department of Public Safety & Security said in an update. “Continue to stay clear of the area.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the alert was issued, a vigil was taking place for the victims of Friday’s attack in New Zealand, where a gunman opened fire at 2 mosques, killing 50 people and injuring 50 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A photo sent to The Daily from a student in a university library: pic.twitter.com\/oTgnPdvouw<\/a><\/p>\u2014 The Michigan Daily (@michigandaily) March 16, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n