UPDATE: Active Shooter Reported at Ohio State University; Several Hospitalized, Suspect Killed
Posted: Nov 28, 2016 12:08 PM CDT | Updated: Nov 28, 2016 12:45 PM CDT
(CNN) UPDATE: 11:27 ET
A suspect is dead following an active shooter report Monday morning on Ohio State University's campus, a federal law enforcement official said. The official, who has been briefed on the latest information on the situation, said law enforcement on the ground believes the threat is contained. The official stressed this is early in the investigation and the sweep of campus continues.
WATCH LIVE: Active Shooter Situation at Ohio State
(CNN)At least eight people were taken to hospitals after an active shooter was reported on the Ohio State University campus Monday, authorities said.
One of those eight patients is in critical condition, Columbus Fire spokeswoman Rebecca Diehm said.
Campus officials urged people to shelter in place and avoid the Watts Hall area.
"Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College," OSU Emergency Management tweeted Monday morning.
Watts Hall is the university's materials science and engineering building.
OSU senior Anthony Falzarano, 22, said he was in class at the time of the shooting.
"We heard a lot of sirens. I was in class and everyone got a text message at the same time for the emergency alert," he told CNN. "Someone said they heard popping right before we got the alert, but I didn't hear it. We are in a shelter-in-place right now in the building next door. "
Falzarano said "there's a lot of police and fire trucks and an ambulance outside the building."
"The officers are putting on Kevlar vests and have big weapons," he said. "I can't see anyone going inside the building -- there's just so many cops here."
Sophomore Wyatt Crosher said he heard gunfire from across the street.
"My roommate and I heard about three or four gunshots from across the street, and soon after we heard a bunch of police and ambulances pull up across the street," the 19-year-old said.
"We can't see the building where the shooting happened because of a dorm blocking our view. It truly sounded like gunshots, and really soon after we heard a bunch of sirens. We can see the police cars from our dorm."
Students were moved back from the scene as police investigated.
Ohio State University's main campus in Columbus is one of the largest in the United States. The university has more than 65,000 students enrolled across the state.
In addition to local authorities, the Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is on the ground in Columbus, spokesman Dave Coulson said.