Emergency alert issued for Ohio University's Athens campus following armed robbery; classes canceled

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio University issued an emergency alert and canceled classes for the Athens campus Wednesday after an armed robbery happened just off campus.

The incident happened just before 10 a.m. near the Station Street Apartments.

The Ohio University Police Department said an “armed and dangerous” man carrying a handgun was seen fleeing the area toward the Stocker Center/Oxbow trail area – on the school’s west green.

The message was posted on the school's website: http://www.ohio.edu/emergency

The university said the man should be “considered an armed fugitive.

There’s no word yet if anyone was hurt in the incident.

The university posted this update at 11:02 a.m.:

"UPDATE: At 11:02 AM OUPD reports additional officers have been brought in to the Athens campus area. Individuals should be alert to their surroundings and report suspicious activity to OUPD.

"While Ohio University's Athens Campus is not on "lockdown," several buildings and departments have increased their levels of security and watchfulness. Some of these actions include:

"Asked all in-hall residential housing staff to have a presence in their buildings/common areas to answer questions and provide advice to students (residence halls are locked 24/7).

"Stationing full-time staff at all entrances of Baker Center to report suspicious activity.

"Stationing full-time staff at all entrances of Recreation facilities (Ping, Bird, Aquatic Center, etc) to report suspicious activity."

At 12:25 p.m. the school posted a message saying that due to the suspect still being on the run, the campus has been closes and all classes have been canceled for the day.

"In light of the fact that the armed fugitive that was spotted in the Athens campus vicinity has not been apprehended, the President has decided as a precautionary measure to close the Athens campus.  All classes are cancelled, all students will be asked to return to their residences, and all non-essential employees should return home Unless notified otherwise, classes and normal work activities will resume Thursday at their normal times."

At 3:15 p.m., the university president sent the following message to students:

"Because of the ongoing security situation with an armed fugitive still at large and possibly still in the vicinity of the Athens campus, I have decided to cancel classes on the Athens campus and close the Athens campus effective immediately. Additionally, all Athens campus employees not designated as essential are dismissed from work for the day and should leave work immediately. Unless you are notified otherwise, classes and normal work activities will resume tomorrow, Thursday, at their normal times."