Squad cars outside the Kravis Center.
At 4:55 P.M., Claremont Colleges students received notifications through Campus Safety’s alert system of “Police activity on CMC’s campus.” Squad cars were seen gathering outside the Kravis Center, and police with automatic weapons and canines were on the premises.
At 5:10, Campus Safety sent another alert:
“POTENTIAL SHOOTER ON CMC CAMPUS STAY AWAY FROM AREA GHEAVY [sic] POLICE PRESENCE IN THE AREA”
At 5:15, Campus Safety ordered students on campus to shelter in place. Those off campus were instructed to remain off campus.
Police helicopters began circling over the Colleges. Students evacuating north to Harvey Mudd College reported being evacuated from their North Quad dorms by Campus Safety officials and police officers.
The potential shooter’s identity is unknown.
Update at 6:01: Police scanner activity confirmed “no victims and no additional reports” of a shooter. Police are still clearing buildings at CMC.
Update at 6:07: Residential advisors shared a message from the Dean of Students office that “Public Safety and police are sweeping the buildings just to make sure everything is secure. So if they hear police in the building, it’s not a panic situation at all. They’re just making sure we’re clear.”
Update at 6:18: CMC Dean of Students Jimmy Doan sent the following email to CMC students:
“We know that this current situation is very scary. DT and I are both currently on campus and are actively monitoring the situation. Local Police and Public Safety are currently sweeping campus to ensure it’s safe.”
“We are thinking about each and every single one of you. Please fill out this short form to let us know your current location. We may use this information to help us track our student community.”
Update at 6:46: Police scanner activity noted a man in a maroon jacket and ski mask running from the intersection 6th Street and College Ave.
Update at 7:10: Police are dispersing from the Kravis Center. One police officer told the Independent, “We went room by room.”
Update at 7:14: Police are gathering in front of Frank Dining Hall at Pomona College. Students inside reported that the man in the maroon jacket and mask is inside Frank.
Update at 7:29: Students shared a message in a dorm group chat reportedly from CMC President Hiram Chodosh’s wife, Priya Junnar:
“I just spoke to Hiram. Still sweeping campuses. It was a call about an active shooter and then rumors about people seeing someone. It apparently fits a hoax pattern, but for abundance of caution, all still locked down.”
ABC 7 reported that there was a separate incident of reports of an armed individual at Loma Linda Hospital on March 12. The incident was later determined to be a hoax.
Update at 7:33: CMC Chief Operating Officer Sharon Basso sent the following message to students in an email titled “ALL CLEAR”:
“Claremont Police Department (CPD) and other assisting law enforcement agencies have now determined that there is no active threat on our campus. Shelter in place order has been lifted.”
“CPD dispatch received a threat of an active shooter, responded quickly, coordinated with TCC campus safety and CMC public safety, and have now completed their search of our campus. They have found no evidence of any threat.”
“We are grateful for your cooperation and patience and thank law enforcement for their quick response and thorough search.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information emerges.
