Fayetteville, Arkansas – A report of an active shooter at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville prompted an immediate campus-wide response on Monday, August 25, though authorities later confirmed there were no confirmed gunshots or injuries. The initial alert was sent out around 12:30 p.m., triggering evacuation procedures and lockdowns across parts of the campus.
According to the University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD), the reported incident originated near Mullins Library. Students and staff were instructed to follow “avoid, deny, defend” protocols, a standard safety measure used in active shooter scenarios. By approximately 2:45 p.m., UAPD announced that the lockdown had been lifted and students were free to leave campus.
After investigating multiple reports related to the initial alert, police did not identify any active threats on campus. U of A officials confirmed that university police were on site immediately and evacuated students following the first reports. Fayetteville police, working in coordination with campus authorities, cleared Mullins Library and monitored other locations, including Razorback Stadium, which was reportedly placed on lockdown as a precaution.
“No confirmed gunshots or injuries have been reported on the U of A campus at this time,” the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) stated around 1:45 p.m. The department explained that multiple calls had been received about suspicious behavior, but no arrests were made. Later updates from FPD indicated that initial assessments were being wrapped up by 2:15 p.m., and there continued to be no confirmed evidence of gunfire or physical harm to students or staff.
FBI agents were also present on the scene, assisting local law enforcement with the investigation. The cooperation between campus police, city police, and federal agents helped ensure that students and staff remained safe while authorities confirmed the absence of any real threat.
Fayetteville Public Schools announced that some of its schools were placed in “secure status” during the incident, restricting entry and exit to protect students. These precautions were taken as a precautionary measure while authorities assessed the situation.
The University of Arkansas cancelled all classes for the remainder of the day to allow for safety assessments and to give students and faculty time to process the event. Housing and most dining services remained open, and Razorback Transit continued normal routes to accommodate students who were on campus or needed transportation. Classes are expected to resume on Tuesday.
Campus leaders emphasized that the university’s emergency alert systems and response protocols worked effectively during the incident. Students were kept informed through text and email alerts, and police presence was maintained throughout the campus to ensure a controlled and safe environment.
Officials encouraged anyone with further information about the reports to contact local authorities. They also reminded students, faculty, and staff that even though the incident was determined to be a false alarm, maintaining awareness and following emergency procedures remains critical to campus safety.
Monday’s events highlight both the challenges and effectiveness of rapid response measures in higher education settings. While the initial reports caused alarm, coordinated efforts by university police, city authorities, and federal agents ensured that potential risks were quickly assessed and addressed, with no injuries or damage reported.
For more information, students and community members are advised to follow official University of Arkansas and Fayetteville Police Department updates.
