A shelter-in-place order at Muskingum University on Monday evening stemmed from a misunderstanding that was overheard during dinner, according to Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz.
Lutz told WCMH that an argument between two students, a boyfriend and girlfriend, took place around 3 or 4 p.m. Later that evening, other students who were not involved in the argument discussed the situation over dinner, possibly exaggerating some details as they retold the story.
A staff member who overheard the conversation mistakenly believed there was mention of a gun or hostage situation, Lutz said. The staff member alerted a supervisor, who then contacted police. Law enforcement responded, and the university issued a shelter-in-place order.
Officers from multiple agencies, including the Muskingum County and Noble County sheriff’s offices, Muskingum University Police, New Concord Police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the New Concord Fire Department, searched campus buildings and dorms. Authorities determined there was no active threat, no weapons, and no shooting. The “all clear” was given at approximately 9:15 p.m. No charges will be filed, Lutz told WCMH.
Lutz also cautioned against the role social media played in escalating the situation.
“Social media is so good for so many things, but it can really be bad for some of this stuff,” Lutz told WCMH. “When you don’t know what’s going on and you see something, don’t add to it, don’t continue to forward it, because all that does is just build up in a situation like this.”
Jordan Miller News previously reported on the shelter-in-place order as it unfolded.
