WashU Clears Campus After 'Non-Credible' Armed Person Reports

Police search Danforth Campus buildings, find no active threat

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Washington University in St. Louis went into a campus-wide shelter in place on Friday morning after receiving multiple reports of an armed individual on the Danforth Campus. After a thorough search by local police, the university issued an all-clear, stating the reports were 'not a credible threat.'

Why it matters

Campus safety and security are top priorities for universities, and the response to any potential threat must be swift and effective to protect students, faculty, and staff. This incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for clear communication during such situations.

The details

According to WashU Police Department Chief Angela Coonce, the university received multiple calls around 9:19 a.m. reporting an individual with a weapon on the Danforth Campus. In response, the university issued a shelter-in-place order and police from St. Louis, University City, and Clayton conducted a thorough search of Brookings Hall and nearby buildings. A police helicopter also circled the area during the search.

  • The shelter-in-place order was issued at 9:19 a.m.
  • The all-clear was sent at 10:21 a.m., indicating the police had completed their search and determined there was no active threat.

The players

Angela Coonce

Chief of the Washington University Police Department.

Anna 'Dr. G' Gonzalez

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at Washington University in St. Louis.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must have acted out of an abundance of caution during the search, and we will investigate and pursue charges against anyone who is found to be responsible for false reports.”

— Angela Coonce, Police Chief (studlife.com)

“I am thinking of you as we all process the incident. While WashU PD determined that the threat was not credible, I know that anxiety can linger.”

— Anna 'Dr. G' Gonzalez, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs (studlife.com)

What’s next

The university will investigate the source of the false reports and pursue charges against anyone found responsible.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of campus emergency preparedness and the need for clear communication during potential threats. While the reports proved to be non-credible, the university's swift response and transparency in informing the community helped to maintain a sense of safety and security.