University of Georgia gives alert for active shooter on Athens campus

The University of Georgia issued an emergency alert after an armed shooter was reported on campus. The alert said to avoid the area of the Main Library.

“This is an Emergency UGA Police Alert Message for the Athens Campus,” read the alert, sent at 8:51 p.m. ET. “There has been a report of an armed shooter in the area of Main Library. Please avoid this area. First responders are on the scene. More information will be posted at emergency.uga.edu as it becomes available. Please do not call emergency numbers for information.”

In a subsequent alert sent at 10:34 p.m. ET, though, police said the evidence suggests a hoax. The investigation remains ongoing and they encouraged people continue avoiding the area.

“This is an Emergency UGA Police Alert Message for the Athens Campus,” the update reads. “Police are on scene at Library, at this time evidence suggests a hoax. Please continue to avoid this area. First responders are on the scene. More information will be posted at emergency.uga.edu as it becomes available. Please do not call emergency numbers for information.”

The active shooter alert at UGA is the latest such instance across the country this week. At the University of Arkansas, a shooter was reported, though it was later confirmed to be a hoax. The University of South Carolina also had an unconfirmed report of an active shooter on campus Aug. 23.

This story will be updated.