WARWICK, RI — A CCRI Lockdown at the Knight Campus was issued by the Community College of Rhode Island Tuesday at 9:16 a.m., following reports of a firearm in the woods nearby, warning people, depending on location, to “run, hide, or fight.”
“Based on location, decide to run, hide, or fight. Seek shelter, turn off lights and silence your cell phone. Wait for all-clear,” the college wrote on its Facebook Page.
CCRI Lockdown Follows Report of Person with Firearm
The Rhode Island Breaking News Service reported the lockdown is in response to a person reported in the woods nearby, on Commonwealth Avenue, with a firearm. Warwick Police and Warwick Fire have responded to the location, and the lockdown will continue until the campus is cleared as safe.
The Knight Campus, at 400 East Ave. Warwick, RI, is directly across from the Midland Commons shopping center, formerly Midland Mall. Commonwealth Avenue provides a secondary access to the Knight Campus parking lot via a road through a lightly wooded area, past an athletic field.
CCRI Chief of Staff Amy Kempe said the Warwick Fire Department notified Warwick Police and CCRI Campus Police of a suspicious individual walking along Commonwealth Avenue and entered the woods on the perimeter of the Knight Campus.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Knight campus issued the CCRI lockdown and suspended classes. The college remains in lockdown while Warwick Police continue to search the wooded area, Kempe said.
Warwick Police are expected to inform the college when the lockdown can be lifted.
At about 11:10 a.m., Warwick Police reported on their Facebook Page that they had begun the search just before 9 a.m., following up on a report of a person entering the wooded area off Commonwealth Avenue (backside of CCRI) with what appeared to be an object, similar to the butt of a firearm, protruding from their backpack.
The location the person was seen was nearby, “but not exactly close to, the CCRI property and building,” police reported. Warwick Police, Rhode Island State Police, and CCRI Police and are still currently checking the area.
“As of this time the report is unfounded but out of an abundance of caution, the search continues and neighboring educational institutions have taken precautionary measures.”
“Please limit movement inside and outside the building. Warwick Campus classes suspended until lockdown lifted. More information to follow,” the orginal CCRI alert states.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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