By Lynn Hsieh Reports of a gunman on the loose left some students confused and shaken as police and university officials sent out a series of text messages to students alerting them of the danger.
After a two hour search by police, an “all clear” message was sent to students through the campus alert system.
The suspect has not been found.
A Faculty Student Association (FSA) employee in the SAC cafeteria approached the individual, who police describe as a 5’ 9’’ male between 25 and 28 years of age with a tattoo on his right hand, after it was determine that he was trying to steal food.
President Shirley Strum Kenny told reporters in a press conference "at that point, the perpetrator showed what appeared to be a gun," Kenny said.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the suspect fleeing the Student Activities Center (SAC) and run towards the back of Harriman Hall between the Old Chemistry buildings at around 1:30 pm.
Mario S., an exchange student, witnessed the event. He and his friends described the suspect as a black male dressed all in black with a long coat and dark boots with a red-green pizza box in his hands.
The security personnel chasing the man yelled “Stop. I won’t touch you,” Mario S. said.
Assistant Chief of Police Douglas Little described the security guard as a "greeter" who works for the Faculty Student Association, "backed off and called police."
Police arrived minutes later.
Timeline of Events
• 1:33 p.m. A report of a gunman on campus is reported to university police.
• 1:37 p.m. University police arrive at scene.
• 1:58 p.m. About the time the first text message (11,000) sent to students, faculty and staff, informing them of the situation. (Messages are distributed on a rolling basis. E-mails and voice mail on cell phones are distributed as well.)
• 2:51 p.m. Stony Brook updates its Web site with details about the incident.
• 3:55 p.m. Web site is updated giving the all-clear after police determine there is no longer an immediate threat.
• 6:35 p.m. University updates the website for a third time. Promises to keep students updated with the ongoing investigation.
ALERT SYSTEM -- Jeanette Minondo, SAC employee, says she doesn't feel inclined to sign up for the text message alert service, even after today's event. "I'll find out one way or another." She says if the situation was "really dangerous," the police would take action, like they did today while Minondo was in Javits lecture hall, which they locked down for 20 minutes.
ReplyDeleteAlex Sitaras, Roth dorm student, couldn't access her e-mail, and questioned the police's "cleared situation" assessment. "Everything is clear? How can they say that if they the guy is still out there?" Sitaras said the police should have been doing a lot more than "standing around" all afternoon.
Nicole Rinaldi, commuter from Manhasset, also says the police took a nonchalant attitude about the ordeal. "They're always there ready to give you a parking ticket, but when something like this happens there no police to be seen." Commuter Vinny Parziale says he wish he found out about the incident from police instead of his friend's text message.
CAMPUS SAFETY/PERSONAL ACCOUNTS -- Previous crimes and attacks on Stony Brook's campus leave students feeling upset and frightened. Vinny Parziale walked out of the SAC today at 2:00pm, the approximate time of the search. "It's happened right here, and people were just walking around like nothing happened. Cops too."
ReplyDeleteCommuter Jen Connor is shocked at the multiple crimes committed the past two weeks here on campus. "I didn't even want to come back here." When asked if she feels safe, she replies, "No. Not at all."