It started around 9:15 p.m. with a report of a "possible armed subject." Students were told to shelter in place.
The official Twitter account of the West Long Branch, New Jersey university tweeted an update at midnight saying authorities were still searching for a suspect and securing the campus.
The campus was finally deemed safe shortly before 2 a.m. Reports of gunshots were unfounded.
In a statement, Monmouth President Dr. Patrick F. Leahy said police identified a person of interest, who is a current student, as the individual with the curling iron, which was mistaken for a weapon.
Because of all of that commotion, Thursday morning classes were canceled. The university announced a delayed opening, and the campus reopened at noon.
