Colgate University locked down its campus after a student spotted an "armed individual" who was actually holding a hot glue gun.
The upstate New York university's official Twitter account tweeted out a warning late Monday urging students to seek shelter. The tweets warned there was an "armed person" on campus, although there were "no reports of shots fired."
Colgate Alert: Because of a dangerous situation in the Coop, everyone is advised to leave the building.
— Colgate University (@colgateuniv) May 2, 2017
Colgate Alert: There is an armed person at the Coop. Find a safe space and remain indoors. If you are off-campus,stay away.
— Colgate University (@colgateuniv) May 2, 2017
Law enforcement continues to search campus in response to reports of armed individual. No reports of shots fired. Updates as available.
— Colgate University (@colgateuniv) May 2, 2017
But shortly before midnight, the lockdown was lifted. In a statement to students, Colgate announced that "after thorough investigation, and with the assistance of the person in question, law enforcement identified the individual as a student who was using a glue gun for an art project."
Students on social media quickly reported that the glue-toting student was African-American, and grumbled that race may have played a factor. In an additional statement Tuesday morning, Colgate President Brian W. Casey confirmed the student's race and apologized.
"It is important that we understand the role that implicit racial bias had in the initial reporting of and responses to the events of last night. I want to make sure we speak with those who made and received the initial report to understand the role this played," Casey wrote.
"I have asked Campus Safety Director Bill Ferguson, who was leading university security efforts last night, to take an administrative leave from his position effective immediately while we conduct a review of the events of last night," he announced.