Incident Response FAQ

UNCW Police received reports of a possible individual with a weapon on campus. These reports were based on a video posted on social media of a person carrying a weapon in a parking deck. There were no eyewitness accounts. Out of an abundance of caution, the university initiated a “shelter in place” protocol while law enforcement from UNCW and multiple local and federal agencies worked to verify and locate the threat. The shelter in place lasted for approximately three hours. After a thorough review, authorities determined the reports were unfounded. The photo that was circulated on social media was deemed to be inaccurate. An “all clear” message was issued once it was safe.

Late Wednesday evening, UNCW received an email suggesting that an explosive device may have been placed in the UNCW Library. The library was immediately evacuated and a campus alert issued. UNCW Police, alongside local law enforcement and specialized detection canine teams, conducted a thorough inspection of the building and surrounding area. No evidence of a threat was found, and the report was determined to be unfounded.  

Student safety and the security of our campus community is UNCW’s top priority. Our University Police, the Office of the Dean of Students, Environmental Health and Safety, and the entire Campus Safety team work together to protect the community and educate them on safety strategies. Students who feel unsafe are encouraged to seek support from UNCW Police, Dean of Students, Counseling Services, CARE, or other resources.  

Students, faculty and staff should continue to monitor their email and UNCW Alerts for updates and report anything concerning immediately by calling 911 or contacting UNCW Police at 910.962.2222 or police@uncw.edu . 

UNCW follows established emergency response protocols that are regularly tested and refined. We understand that any delay can feel unsettling and we are committed to reviewing our processes after every incident to improve response and communication. 

When reports come in, UNCW Police immediately prioritize active response and investigation to address the potential threat. Campus alerts are issued as soon as law enforcement can confirm essential facts. This ensures that communications are both accurate and actionable. Sending unverified or conflicting details too quickly could create greater confusion or risk. Communication follows as quickly as possible once essential facts are confirmed. In both cases, officers immediately begin investigating the report and coordinating with local law enforcement. The timing of updates is carefully managed to balance urgency with accuracy.   

The SafeZone app, known as UNCW Alert, allows UNCW students, faculty and staff to contact University Police for emergency and non-emergency assistance while on campus. You can use this app to quickly share your location, tips and profile details with University Police staff to ensure a timely response and connection to the appropriate resources. Students, faculty, staff, and families/parents are also encouraged to download and use the UNCW Mobile App for emergency updates and keep their contact information updated.  

Depending on circumstances, the university will first communicate any emergency messaging through UNCW Alerts via text, SafeZone app, email, phone and the UNCW Mobile app. Students, faculty, staff and families/parents are encouraged to download the apps for updates. Please do not rely on social media channels as your source for emergency alerts and updates.   

As always, we are monitoring and evaluating potential threats to our campus community. Our UNCW Police Department is on duty 24/7/365 and we have outstanding support from city and county law enforcement as well. We also work actively with state and federal agencies to evaluate, track and manage such threats. 

We understand these events have been unsettling. The safety and security of our students, faculty and staff remain our highest priority. Campus residence halls remain staffed throughout the weekend with regular on-call support, security staffing, and increased campus police rounds. In addition to increased presence at the main campus entrances and foot patrols, the police department is expanding its team with additional law enforcement personnel to further strengthen campus coverage and provide enhanced visibility across campus, including the Center for Marine Science. We are grateful for the continued support of Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, who are working closely with us to maintain a secure campus environment. The UNCW Police Department is available 24/7 and is prepared to respond to any concerns. 

UNCW Police and partner agencies are responding immediately and thoroughly to investigate each report. All reports of threats, including a false bomb threat Wednesday night and Thursday’s unconfirmed gun report, were taken seriously and investigated until proven false. Out of an abundance of caution, on Sept. 19 classes were canceled and operations adjusted to allow pause for the campus community and time to consider future operations and safety measures. We are conducting a full after-action review with appropriate stakeholders to identify improvements in our communication and emergency response. Rest assured that, while all these incidents were unfounded, our response was real, timely, and focused on protecting our campus community. 

All classes were canceled Friday, Sept. 19; assignments and exams were postponed. Students in fully online programs should consult with their instructors about how this may impact their courses. The university is operating under Condition 1 for employees through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. UNCW will reopen on schedule Monday, Sept. 22, with enhanced security measures in place. 

Many services are operating on a reduced schedule through the weekend. Campus Recreation, dining, and shuttle services will remain open but may operate on reduced schedules — please check the website for updates. Students, faculty and staff should continue to monitor UNCW Alerts and email for updates throughout the weekend.

UNCW offers parents and families the Seahawk Family Hub, where they can access campus resources, deadlines, announcements and connect with other family members and supporters through this interactive platform. The online portal provides families with a curated news feed, calendar of important dates and events, helpful resources and more based on their customized interests. Families and parents are also encouraged to download and use the UNCW Mobile App for updates and to keep their contact information updated.  

The vigil held on the UNCW campus was hosted by the university chapter of Turning Point USA, a registered student organization. The event was held in honor of Mr. Kirk at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15 at the Amphitheater on UNCW’s main campus. The university provided the chapter’s student leaders with guidance, security and support, as we would for any registered student organization requesting support for an event.  

Several hundred campus and community members attended the vigil hosted by the UNCW chapter of Turning Point USA. Attendees participated in a calm and peaceful event in honor of Mr. Kirk. At the end of the event, speakers thanked the university, especially UNCW Police and Student Affairs staff, for providing effective support.

Prior to the vigil on Sept. 15, students painted the spirit rock near Fisher University Union with artwork in Mr. Kirk’s honor. The spirit rock is not a permanent memorial to Mr. Kirk. It is a platform for freedom of expression, one of two such spirit rocks on campus, and the content featured on the rock is not permanent.

The Turning Point USA student organization began painting the rock at approximately 10:30 a.m. and finished painting at approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15. The other students approached the rock and proceeded to paint over part of it at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept 16. The Turning Point USA students remained at the rock until 6 p.m. at which time they stepped away from the rock providing full access for other individuals to paint. 

Students typically paint the rock multiple times per week as a tablet for free expression and a place where student organizations often advertise their upcoming events. Out of courtesy, students are asked to leave artwork and messaging for at least 24 hours before repainting, but no policy requires this. The university does not actively monitor the rock nor enforce circumstances where students don’t honor the 24-hour courtesy. The university also does not censor the rock’s content, unless content is deemed to be a violation of law. 

The university is conducting an appropriate review under the Code of Student Life. Any actions that may transpire as a result of that process, up to and including disciplinary action, constitute protected information under the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act.  

Based on conversations with students involved, the disagreement occurred over the content of the artwork and the 24-hour courtesy timeline. UNCW’s campus includes two spirit rocks that serve as a platform for freedom of expression. With nearly 300 registered student organizations on a campus and nearly 20,000 students, there are times that students do not agree with every group’s mission, actions, or messages. We encourage students, and the entire UNCW community, to engage in freedom of expression disagreements with respect and civility. 

This week, individual students, faculty, staff and the university have received harassing and, in some cases, potentially threatening communications via social media, phone, and email. Students and employees have reported these concerns to UNCW Police and/or other appropriate offices on campus. Following its usual protocol, the university will continue to respond promptly to harassment, threats, or actions that put others in danger. UNCW Police maintain a comprehensive 24/7/365 presence on campus. We are confident in their dedication and service to our campus community. 

As a public university within the UNC System, UNCW adheres to the institutional neutrality requirements outlined in policy 300.8.5, Equality within the University of North Carolina. Under the policy, UNCW offices and roles must not be organized around or advocate for contemporary political or social issues; no individual or office may be required to express or endorse specific beliefs or viewpoints; and offices cannot promote political or social concepts through training, required beliefs or programming. 

The university’s goal, as always, is to provide a safe and secure learning environment where the robust exchange of ideas and information happens in a civil, ethical and respectful manner. It will take consistent and intentional effort, kindness and grace from everyone — students, faculty, staff and the community — to achieve this goal.

Please contact the university via phone at 910.962.3737.