MSUB lifts lockdown and shelter-in-place after shooting threat, suspect in question detained (2024)

UPDATE: 6:30 p.m.

BILLINGS, Mont. -An emergency notice was sent out to Montana State University Billings (MSUB) students, faculty and the public today, which led to an emergency lockdown of the school.

Additional confusion arose in the form of what type of threat was actually present at the campus. The initial information indicated an active shooter was on property, but it was later clarified as a threat of a shooting by an enrolled student at the campus.

Shortly after nine this morning, an email from MSUB was sent out to campus staff and faculty indicating that there was an active shooter on campus.

Then about half an hour later, NonStop Local received a direct email from the school saying there was no active shooter, and no shots were fired.The message continued to explain that the campus police received a tip through crime stoppers that a student believed to be enrolled at the university had made threats online of committing a shooting.

The main campus and City College were locked down out of an abundance of caution with direction to shelter in place.

Taylor Edelman, a student at MSUB said as soon as she heard the emergency alert, she panicked.

"It made it seem like it was an active shooter. - We actually had a shooter, it seemed like," said Edelman. "And matter of fact actually, we had phones that went on to conference mode and actually said 'shots fired'... I'm still dealing with the processing of hearing them say 'shots fired'. It was such an event that I don't think I ever... would ever have been able to prepare for."

NonStop Local reached out to MSUB to find out exactly what happened and received a statement explaining that the initial emergency alert was a "pre-populated message", inaccurately reporting an active shooter.

While MSUB did acknowledge the error, they continued to say:

"... the emergency notification system accomplished the intended goal of having students and employees take immediate action. A full review of pre-populated messages is underway to ensure the clarity and accuracy of information provided in future alerts""

The full statement can be read below.Ultimately, the threat was cleared and the lockdown was lifted.

NonStop Local also reached out to Billings Police Department who said they are looking into the threat and the investigation is still ongoing.

UPDATE: 5:00 p.m.

The following is a statement from Montana State University - Billings:

Today, our campus faced an unfounded threat, and we are grateful to report that through the swift and coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, we successfully ensured the safety and security of our campus communities.

During the unfolding of this incident, the initial alert from the emergency notification system included a pre-populated message inaccurately reporting an active shooter situation. The misinformation was later clarified.

It is important to note that the emergency notification system accomplished the intended goal of having students and employees take immediate action. A full review of pre-populated messages is underway to ensure the clarity and accuracy of information provided in future alerts.

Brandon Irby, MS

Director, UniversityCommunications& Marketing

UPDATE: 10:14 a.m.

MSUB said in an email the lockdown and shelter-in-place have been lifted.

The suspect in question has been detained off campus, and was not reported to have been seen on either the university campus or the city college.

Classes and businesses are returning to normal for the rest of the day.

There will be counselors available for students, faculty and staff on the university campus and City College campuses.

UPDATE: 10:03 a.m.

The Billings Police said in a social media post they located the person who was reported to have made the online threat.

The person was not located on campus, according to BPD, and police are investigating the threat.

There is currently no threat to anyone on campus.

THREATENING A SCHOOL IS A CRIME. IT’S CALLED FELONY INITIMIDATION AND CAN CARRY A PRISON SENTENCE OF UP TO 10 YEARS AND FINES UP TO 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

UPDATE: 9:35 a.m.

Montana State University Billings has clarified the alert is a threat at the university campus and city college, not an active shooting.

In an email, MSUB said in an update MSUB Police received an anonymous tip a student believed to be enrolled at MSUB made threats online committing a shooting.

The threat had no specified target or location.

As a precautionary measure, a lockdown was put in place at MSU Billings university campus and City College directing people to shelter in place at 9:05 a.m.

At 9:21 a.m., MSUB clarified no shots were fired.

The Billings Police Department said in a social media post Yellowstone Coiunty Sheriff's deputies determined there was an error in MSUB's messaging system and there is no active shooter, and there does not appear to be a threat onsite.

No one is injured.

BPD said police are walking through campus and investigating a possible online threat initially reported.

BILLINGS, Mont. - An active shooter at Montana State University Billings is prompting a lockdown Tuesday.

MSUB said in an emergency notification system email to shelter in place.

This is a developing story.