CCSU Lockdown Ends With Arrest, Suspect May Have Been Wearing Halloween Costume

A CCSU lockdown that lasted for two and a half hours after reports of a man with a gun on campus has ended with police leading a suspect away in handcuffs.

The lockdown at Central Connecticut State University began around noon on Monday after someone reportedly saw an armed man on campus near James Hall. CCSU spokesman Mark McLaughlin said the man reportedly had both a gun and a sword, though that information has not been verified by law enforcement officials.

Connecticut State Police reported that a man had been barricaded inside of a dorm room at James Hall.

The CCSU lockdown lasted for more than two hours, ending at close to 3:15 pm. Witnesses on campus say they saw police leading away a man in handcuffs, and New Britain Mayor Tim O’Brien confirmed on Twitter that the suspect was in custody.

During the CCSU lockdown roads around the campus were closed and classes were cancelled for the remainder of the day. Students were told to get to the nearest building and “shelter in place” by locking doors and staying away from doors and windows.

“All on CCSU campus must seek shelter and stay indoors,” the college noted on its official Twitter accont. “This is not a drill. Campus emergency.”

“Seek shelter. Lock doors, close windows. We will communicate when we have more info. This is not a drill,” the college added.

Campus officials said there were no shots fired during the CCSU lockdown and police officials also noted that there were no injuries.

Some students believe the CCSU lockdown was the result of a misunderstanding. They said the man taken into custody is a senior at the university and may have just been wearing a Halloween costume that he purchased last week.