The University of Iowa issued a shelter-in-place alert on Friday afternoon following reports of gunfire near Burlington and Governor Streets in Iowa City, located just a few blocks east of the main campus.
According to the university’s Hawk Alert system, the first message was sent at 1:51 PM, warning students and staff to “avoid the area and shelter in place.” The alert noted that the suspect fled westbound on foot as law enforcement arrived at the scene.
Gunfire Reported Off Campus, Police Continue Search
Authorities confirmed that the gunfire occurred off campus, but they urged residents and students to stay alert. Officials advised the community to report any suspicious activity by calling 911.
The University of Iowa also reiterated its warning through an update on X (@uiowa), asking everyone to continue avoiding the affected area while police conducted their investigation.
Campus Events Disrupted Amid Police Activity
The situation caused temporary disruptions across the campus. According to local reports, Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff media availability at the Pentacrest was evacuated and relocated to Schaeffer Hall as a precaution.
No Injuries Confirmed, Investigation Ongoing
As of Friday evening, no injuries have been reported, and Iowa City police continue to search for the suspect involved in the shooting. Authorities have not released any additional details about the individual or the motive behind the incident.
The University of Iowa continues to monitor the situation closely while ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff.
