An attempted theft on the 4000 block of Locust Street shared similarities with the "flash mob" style attacks at Temple University last month. | DP File Photo
With reports that an armed man was seen on campus, Community College of Philadelphia went on lockdown this morning. Police caught the suspect and he is in police custody.
Per @PPDCommish person of interest in custody in regards to @CCPedu incident
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) October 6, 2015
CBS Philly reported that authorities said the shooting is an isolated incident, and does not appear to be related to the threat against colleges in the Philadelphia area that was issued for 2 p.m. yesterday.
Right before 11 a.m., the college's official Twitter announced that the Winnet Student Life Building would go on lockdown.
Police activity on main campus. Winnet building is on lock down.— CC of Philadelphia (@CCPedu) October 6, 2015
Shortly after, the school said that the entire main campus at 17th and Spring Garden streets in Center City would be on lockdown. The students were asked to shelter-in-place.
Police Activity on Campus. Main campus is locked down at this point. Shelter in place in progress.— CC of Philadelphia (@CCPedu) October 6, 2015
Nearby schools, including Masterman High School, also went on lockdown.
Police searched the building but did not find any signs of a shooting, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told 6ABC. Ramsey said that witnesses saw two men get into an argument outside the Winnet Building. One man, a former student, pulled a gun on the other man, a current student, and followed him inside Winnet.
Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said that the Division of Public Safety "became aware of [the lockdown] in the same way as the rest of the Penn community, through a quick news blurb."
She added that DPS learned that "Drexel put out an alert because they have medical offices in the immediate area."
Staff reporter Lowell Neumann Nickey contributed reporting.
This article was last updated at 12:30 p.m. Check back for updates.
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