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Arkansas State University Placed on Lockdown After Report of Man With a Gun on Campus, No Shots Fired

Arkansas State University sent a text message urging the evacuation of the student union after a report of a man with a gun on campus.

JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — An armed man drove onto Arkansas State University's campus Thursday and was surrounded by police without any shots fired, a university spokesman said.

The school sent an alert early Thursday afternoon urging the evacuation of the student union following a report of an active shooter. A later tweet said there were no shots fired or any reports of injuries.

Spokesman Bill Smith said the university was placed on lockdown after the man drove onto campus. He said police had surrounded the man less than 30 minutes later, but people were still urged to stay away from the student union.

Jonesboro police spokesman Paul Holmes said a negotiator was headed to the scene to speak with the man.

"Our tactical people are getting themselves in a position to respond as well," Holmes said.

The university is located in Jonesboro, about 130 miles northeast of Little Rock. Jonesboro is also home to Westside Middle School, where an 11-year-old and 13-year-old fatally shot four students and a teacher in 1998.

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