UW-Parkside threat labeled swatting call after shelter-in-place, evacuation

UPDATED: Feb. 21, 7:37 p.m. 

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A threat that prompted a shelter-in-place and evacuation order Saturday morning at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside has now been labeled a swatting call.

Athletes were lining up to compete in an indoor track meet when the situation unfolded. What started as a race for medals quickly turned into a rush for safety.

The university sent out an alert instructing everyone on campus to either evacuate or shelter in place.

Simon Dominic, a senior at Wisconsin Parkside, said he was officiating high jump when he noticed something was wrong.

“I saw it from a distance. I just saw people running and leaving and I’m hearing evacuate, evacuate, evacuate,” he said.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office responded along with several other agencies, sweeping buildings across campus.

Lily Rogers, who was competing in shot put and discus, said the disruption happened quickly.

“We got maybe three weight throws in then got told to leave,” she said.

Investigators later determined the threat was a swatting call - a false report intended to trigger a large law enforcement response.

For some athletes, the interruption was especially disappointing. Rogers said she had driven three hours to compete in shot put and discus - her first time throwing at the collegiate level.

“Thankfully nothing did happen but also kind of mad that we made it all the way down here and that happened with no throws,” she said.
Students said learning it was a swatting call only added to their frustration.

“It’s frustrating, it's childish and immature and really dumb,” Dominic said. “If it isn’t really a actually serious situation they have to get up and waste their time and resources and energy.”

Campus has since reopened, and classes and events are moving forward as planned.

While the meet was disrupted, students said their focus remained on one thing.

“Even after we all left campus, we were all reaching out calling each other, texting each other making sure everybody's good and seeing where everybody's at,” Dominic said. “That’s the number one priority, the safety of everybody.”

UPDATE: Feb. 21, 1:00 p.m.

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) - The University of Wisconsin-Parkside said following an investigation by law enforcement, authorities have determined that there is no active threat to the campus.

Officials say campus reopened today at 1:00 p.m., all classes, activities, and events scheduled for later will proceed as originally planned.

They also noted that there will be an increased police presence on campus throughout the day. 

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An active threat made toward the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (UWP) has prompted an evacuation and shelter in place order on Sat. Feb. 21.

The UW-Parkside Police Department has confirmed that they are investigating the threat made via a phone call and are taking it "very seriously".

The University received the threat shortly after 10:00 a.m., and issued a UWP Ranger alert online, urging people to evacuate or shelter in place:

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office says they are on scene responding with several other agencies. 

They also say that right now it's just a phone threat, and there is no suspect information at this time. 

The campus is closed today, but according to the University's website, today is Alumni Day at the Games in the sports and activity center, with basketball games that were supposed to be played at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. 

UW-Parkside's Alumni Association has asked people not to head to campus for the games at this time.

And the University has said that out of an abundance of caution; the campus remains closed at this time. And all classes and events scheduled for the afternoon are suspended until further notice.

CBS 58 has a crew at the scene and will provide updates both on-air and online.