At 1:11 pm today, the American University Police Department was notified by the Metropolitan Police Department that a subject with a handgun was spotted in the 3300 block of New Mexico Avenue, NW.

In accordance with established protocols, the American University Police Department issued an alert at 1:27 pm and put the campus on lockdown. The DC Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division and AUPD conducted a building-by-building search to ensure public safety. When it was determined that there was no threat to members of the AU community, American University Police removed the campus from lockdown.

The All Clear was given by American University Police Department at 4:38 pm.

Our number one priority is the safety and well-being of those in our community, and exercising a high degree of caution is paramount.

AUPD and campus administrators will conduct a comprehensive after-action review of today’s incident. AUPD will continue to work with the Metropolitan Police Department to identify the subject.

Original Statement posted at 3:08 PM ET

At approximately 1:00 today, a white male was spotted in the 3300 block of New Mexico Avenue, NW. It was reported that the individual had an exposed handgun. DC Metropolitan Police relayed the information to the American University Police at approximately 1:11 pm.    

While the initial report indicated that this person was not on the AU campus, out of an abundance of caution, the American University Police Department issued an AU Alert and directed that the campus be put on lockdown. American University and the DC Metropolitan Police Department are conducting a building-by-building search to ensure public safety.  

Updates will follow and in the meantime, please follow American University Police on Twitter.