BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Erie Community College's South Campus has lifted its lockdown after an off-campus incident Tuesday night involving two students.
"Threats were made toward one of the students," a message to from ECC read. "Orchard Park and Hamburg Police are currently looking for the students involved."
The lockdown was ordered for safety reasons. It was lifted just before noon, as a student was located in Buffalo and is being questioned by Hamburg Police, who have the lead on the investigation. The campus remains closed for the remainder of the day to allow any staff and students who were on campus to decompress. There are no classes currently in session, though there are staff and athletes on the campus.
ECC's interim president Bill Reuter issued this letter to ECC students and faculty:
Dear SUNY Erie faculty, staff and students,
As was reported earlier this morning, South Campus was in lockdown due to an off campus incident between two students last night. One of the students was threatened by the other and reported the threat to campus security this morning. Local police were alerted to the threat against the student, and State Police together with the Hamburg and Orchard Park Police Departments joined Campus Security to search the campus for the student who made the threat. The student who made the threat was located a short time ago at an address in the City of Buffalo and is currently being questioned. At this time, the lockdown has been lifted and the campus can return to normal activity.
We understand the stress this incident has caused, especially to the staff and students at South Campus, and are sincerely apologetic for any unrest and anxiety you experienced. To ensure South Campus staff and students are able to properly process this incident, we are closing South Campus for the remainder of the day (August 18, 2021), and allowing staff working at South Campus to go home for the day. Additionally, we urge you to take advantage of the mental health services offered to staff through EAP (716-681-4300) or students through OLV Human Services (716-828-7531).
Please note that we place the safety and security of our campus community above all else, and are grateful that this situation was resolved without incident.
Thank you for your patience and thank you for the prompt and exemplary actions of our Campus Security in ensuring our safety.
