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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The president of the University of Alabama said Monday there was no danger from an unsubstantiated threat that prompted a lockdown at a high-rise women's dormitory that is home to nearly 1,000 students.
The episode resulted from social media posts, rumors and a parent's call to police, President Judy Bonner said in a message posted on the university's website.
"Students were never in danger," she said in the statement.
Police searched Tutwiler dormitory late Sunday after reports about people with guns. Students had to stay in their rooms, and no one was allowed in or out.
The search did not turn up any weapons or unauthorized individuals.
The university said a parent notified a police agency about possible gunmen after hearing from a daughter who saw social media posts and heard it from fellow students. That agency contacted university police, prompting the search.
No witness reported seeing anything threatening to police, Bonner said. The search took about 45 minutes, after which students were again allowed to move around the 13-story dormitory.
"We understand that the time it took to be cautious was concerning to students and their parents, faculty and staff, and I want to reiterate that we will always put your safety and security first," Bonner said.
The threat that prompted the scare apparently was an "alarming comment" posted over the weekend on the page of a recruitment video on YouTube, University Police Chief Tim Summerlin said in a statement. Greek-letter social groups, particularly sororities, routinely post such video.
Summerlin said university police had requested search warrants and were consulting the FBI.
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