Wingate University was put on lockdown as authorities searched for an armed gunman who fatally shot a man to death Monday morning while broadcasting on Facebook Live.
Authorities are searching for a man who is armed with a long gun following a fatal shooting near Wingate University Monday morning. The shooting occurred on Jerome Street in Wingate, North Carolina. The victim was a man in his late 40s or early 50s. His name has not yet been released.
Officials with the Union County Sheriff’s Office confirm the unidentified victim was shot while broadcasting on Facebook Live.
You can see a clip of the victim’s Facebook Live video on WBTV.com. Note that the video contains disturbing, graphic imagery not suitable for all audiences.
Police and deputies with the Union County Sheriff’s office are on the scene. No shots were fired on Wingate University campus, but police issued the lockdown notice as a precautionary measure.
Any reports of an Active shooter on Wingate University or Wingate Elementary are FALSE. Campus and students are safe. Both schools on lockdown due to active homicide scene in Jerome Street in Wingate.
— Union County Sheriff (@UnionCoSheriff) February 26, 2018
Meanwhile, Wingate University has been sending out a flurry of tweets. At 8:50 a.m., the school issued its first alert.
🚨🚨🚨
Wingate campus on lockdown:Possible shots fired near CM Black dorm. Remain sheltered in place. Call 911 with any relevant information.
— Wingate University (@WingateUniv) February 26, 2018
A little more than half an hour later, the North Carolina university provided a description of the suspect.
Update on lockdown:
Wingate Police report suspect armed with a long gun. Police description: black male, blue and black windbreaker, brown Timberland boots. Law enforcement is posted on campus. Suspect last seen on Jerome Street, south of US 74 across from campus entrance.— Wingate University (@WingateUniv) February 26, 2018
At 9:23 a.m., the school warned students to stay sheltered until further notice.
Remain sheltered in place. Law enforcement is on the scene of a crime off campus across highway 74 south of the police station. Law enforcement is on campus but there is no active shooter on campus. However, everyone should remain sheltered in place until further notice.
— Wingate University (@WingateUniv) February 26, 2018
At 9:56 a.m. local time, Wingate University lifted its campus lockdown.
While local law enforcement remains on campus, they have advised the University to lift the campuswide lockdown. The University resumes normal operations immediately. We will provide updates as they become available.
— Wingate University (@WingateUniv) February 26, 2018
Wingate Elementary School was also placed on lockdown.
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