UT cancels active barricade order after issuing campus-wide emergency alert

What This Story Is About

• UT Knoxville issued an “active threat” alert and ordered a campus lockdown.

Why It Matters

• An active threat on or directly adjacent to a major university campus poses an immediate danger to thousands of students, staff, and surrounding residents.

What Happens Next

• The lockdown will remain in place until police issue an “all-clear” message.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has cancelled their barricade order.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville had issued a campus-wide emergency alert and ordered a lockdown following a stabbing near World’s Fair Park.

“The active attacker is no longer a threat to campus,” University police said.

According to university emergency alerts, an active threat was reported attacking people on or near campus.

The suspect remains at large, prompting university officials to urge everyone on campus to take appropriate action immediately.

For those on campus, officials have issued the following emergency guidelines:

• If indoors: Lock and barricade yourself in a room, stay away from doors and windows, turn off lights, and silence your cell phone.
• If outdoors: Go to the nearest safe place immediately.
• If confronted: As a last resort, be prepared to fight and attempt to incapacitate the attacker.

According to Knoxville Police Department, police are responding to the situation. They urge residents to follow all instructions from police and make sure empty hands are in plain view.

KPD said that the stabbing occured at World’s Fair Park and involved two people, believed to be unhoused. “The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries,” KPD said.

“The suspect is described as a black male wearing black pants and white shoes. He was going west toward campus,” UT Police said.

Multiple police agencies are on the scene responding to the situation. When interacting with officers, individuals are instructed to follow all commands and keep their hands empty and in plain view.

This is a rapidly developing situation. Check back for updates as they become available.