New York College Mistakes Black Student Carrying Glue Gun For An 'Active Shooter'

Photo courtesy of Colgate University

A New York college mistook a black student carrying a glue gun for an "active shooter."

Colgate University went into a lockdown on Monday, after two students reportedly saw a shirtless black man running across campus in the rain with what seemed to be a gun, and called campus safety. Students were then informed of a "dangerous situation in the Coop" and were advised to "leave the building."

Finally, after nearly four hours of the school being on lockdown, the university said that law enforcement confirmed that the "suspect" was another student who was using a glue gun for an art project.

University President Brian W. Caseyissued a statement on Tuesday calling for an investigation, describing the incident as a "profound error" and adding that there was "implicit racial bias."

"It is important that we understand the role that implicit racial bias had in the initial reporting of and responses to the events of [Monday] night," Casey said. "I want to make sure we speak with those who made and received the initial report to understand the role this played."

"We understand this has been a very upsetting evening on many levels," Casey added. said the school is in contact with the student who was carrying the glue gun as well as the student who made the initial report.

Casey said the school is in contact with the student who was carrying the glue gun as well as the student who made the initial report. The identities of the students have yet to be revealed.

Since the incident, the university's Campus Safety Director Bill Ferguson has been put on administrative leave.