Kent State University campus goes on lockdown after shot fired; suspect in custody

UPDATED 9:40 P.M.

KENT, Ohio -- Police are combing parts of the Kent State University campus this evening after the report of a shot being fired.

In a campus alert put out minutes ago, people are being asked to stay away from the area around the Bowman academic hall. Students and staff already in the area were told to take shelter.

According to an advisory from Kent State, a shot was fired in the ground near Bowman Hall. Police say the suspect is a black male in dark gym shorts, who has a silver handgun.

The campus is on lockdown. Police, with weapons drawn, are searching the Business Administration building on the west end of campus, one student reported in a twitter message. Bowman Hall is just south of the business school building.( See a map of the campus here.)

No injuries have been reported. Police are preparing to evacuate a building on campus, according to scanner traffic, after a search did not turn up the suspected shooter. Students attending classes at night have not been allowed to leave the buildings.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police 330-672-3070.

Outside the window of the room I'm in. #kentstate http://ift.tt/1saBkTD

- Gabrielle Woodard (@GnWoodard) April 3, 2014