Key Highlights
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach is on lockdown after a shooting threat.
- The suspect claimed to be five minutes away and would “shoot up the campus with an AK-47.”
- Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood clarified that this is a threat, not an active shooter incident.
- Students are instructed to shelter in place on campus.
- The Daytona Beach Police Department and FBI are investigating the call.
Lockdown at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: A Threat of Violence
And there you have it, folks. Another day, another scare at a higher education institution. This time, it’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach that finds itself under lockdown due to a serious threat of violence.
Threat of an AK-47
You might think this is new, but… the story goes that around 8:40 p.m., someone called in a threatening message. The caller claimed they were five minutes away and intended to “shoot up the campus with an AK-47.” Now, let’s be clear here—this is not the first time such threats have been made on campuses across America.
Official Response
Chitwood, the Volusia County Sheriff, was quick to clarify that this threat does not constitute an active shooter incident. That’s a relief for those who might have panicked upon hearing “shoot up” and “AK-47.” But hey, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Students Instructed to Shelter in Place
Embry-Riddle sent out a shelter-in-place alert. The message was straightforward: no matter where you are on campus, stay put. That means if you’re in the library or at your favorite study spot, make sure to hunker down and wait it out.
Law Enforcement Response
The Daytona Beach Police Department and FBI are actively investigating the call. They are working with Embry-Riddle’s security team to search the campus thoroughly. This is a joint effort to ensure everyone’s safety, but it also underscores the increasing complexity of such threats.
So there you have it—a brief yet intense moment in the life of one of America’s leading aviation universities. The threat may seem dramatic, but as Chitwood rightly pointed out, this is not an active shooter incident. For now, students and faculty are advised to stay calm and follow instructions.
And while we wait for further developments, let’s hope that this turns out to be a false alarm. But hey, if it’s real, better to take the extra precautions than risk anything.