Active Shooter Reported at Case Western Reserve University; Shelter-in-Place Order Issued
April 11, 2025 | Cleveland, OH — A shelter-in-place order was issued Friday afternoon at Case Western Reserve University following reports of an armed individual inside a campus dormitory.
According to university officials, the incident was first reported around 2:30 p.m. when witnesses claimed they saw a person carrying a firearm inside Michelson House, a student residence hall located on Carlton Road on the south side of campus.
In response, university authorities immediately locked down all buildings on the south side of campus and urged anyone already inside to stay put and secure their locations. Those outdoors were instructed to avoid the south side and use their university IDs to access alternative campus buildings for safety.
As of the latest update, there have been no confirmed injuries or shots fired. However, the situation remains active, and CWRU Police, in coordination with Cleveland police and other law enforcement agencies, are on-site conducting a thorough search of the dorm and surrounding areas.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are treating this situation with the highest level of seriousness,” said a university spokesperson. “The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority.”
Emergency notifications were sent to students, staff, and faculty via text, email, and the university’s alert system shortly after the initial report. The university has asked the community not to call 911 unless they have specific information regarding the armed individual’s whereabouts.
Students on campus described a tense and confusing scene as lockdown protocols went into effect. “It was surreal — we just started closing our blinds and locking our doors. We didn’t know if it was real or not,” said one sophomore who lives in Michelson House but was not in the building at the time of the sighting.
Law enforcement officials have not yet released a description of the suspect, and it is unclear whether the individual is affiliated with the university.
What We Know So Far:
- Time of Incident: First reports surfaced around 2:30 p.m. ET.
- Location: Michelson House, Carlton Road, south side of campus.
- Campus Response: Shelter-in-place order in effect; south-side buildings locked down.
- Suspect Info: Armed individual seen inside dorm; no confirmed identity or motive.
- Law Enforcement: CWRU Police, Cleveland PD, and other agencies are actively responding.
Students, staff, and faculty are urged to continue following safety protocols and monitor official university channels for real-time updates.
This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
