UNCW Campus Lockdown After Reports of Gunman, All Clear Issued

WILMINGTON, N.C. (Sept. 18, 2025) - University of North Carolina at Wilmington officials ordered a campuswide lockdown Thursday evening after unconfirmed reports of a gunman on campus, with University Police lifting the shelter-in-place order just after midnight once the threat was deemed unfounded.

UNCW activated emergency protocols and coordinated with local and state law enforcement to investigate anonymous social media tips that a person armed with a gun was on campus.

Campus Safety and Investigation

  • At approximately 7:20 p.m., UNCW Police received an anonymous report via social media indicating the presence of an armed individual in the Randall and Discovery Halls area.
  • Students and staff were instructed by text alert to shelter in place immediately, and University Police, in partnership with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina SBI, secured key campus buildings and conducted a systematic search.
  • No gunshots were reported, and officers did not encounter any evidence of an actual shooter during sweeps of academic and residential facilities.

Community Response and Support

  • Counseling services were made available to students and employees to address anxiety following the lockdown order.
  • Chancellor Aswani Volety commended the swift action of UNCW Police and emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant: “Our priority is the safety of our Seahawk community. Every report will be taken seriously, and we urge everyone to report suspicious activity immediately.”
  • Campus operations resumed normal schedules at 12:15 a.m. Friday after University Police declared the campus secure and lifted all restrictions.

Ongoing Safety Measures

  • UNCW Police encourage the community to continue practicing the “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol and to download the UNCW Guardian app for real-time alerts.
  • Additional patrols will remain on duty throughout the weekend as a precautionary measure.
  • Anyone with information regarding the evening’s events is urged to contact University Police at 910-962-2222 or dial 911.