The Moorpark College campus was placed on emergency lockdown Thursday afternoon.
At about 2:15 pm, the emergency alert sirens blared over the campus, signaling administration and faculty to lock doors, close windows and blinds, and keep students, staff and personnel within the confines of buildings.Rumors circulated that there had been a sighting of a man carrying a shotgun.
Immediately after being reported, the Moorpark Campus Police, assisted by Ventura County Sheriff Deputies, scoured the campus to find the suspect.
Police called in a Ventura County Sheriff Air Unit Helicopter to complete an aerial sweep of the school after they were unsuccessful in finding the suspect from the ground..
After an hour-long search, Police had determined there was no gunman or any threat to students or staff. The “all-clear” signal was given, prompting personnel to allow students, staff and faculty to continue about their business.
Police and Administration could not be reached for comment.
UPDATE:
Sources now say that the report was called in by a woman who claimed to have seen a man carrying what appeared to be a rifle, and promptly called the police.
Authorities stated that the woman may have mistaken what was in the person’s hands to be camera equipment, as workers have been installing new cameras on campus rooftops.