University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Locks Down Following False Active Shooter Report

On August 21, 2025, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) went into lockdown following multiple 911 calls reporting a possible active shooter near the University Center or Library. Students barricaded themselves in classrooms and campus-wide alerts instructed people to 'Run. Hide. Fight.' Law enforcement agencies including UTC Police, Chattanooga Police, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Homeland Security, and the FBI responded swiftly, conducting thorough searches of campus facilities. By early afternoon, authorities confirmed no evidence of a shooter or victims, declaring the campus 'all clear' and lifting the lockdown. Classes and activities were canceled until the next morning, and students and non-essential staff were allowed to leave safely. Officials are investigating the cause of the false alarm, with some considering if it was a misidentification similar to past incidents at UTC and other local colleges.