Case Western Reserve University Lifts Shelter-in-Place After Armed Intruder Incident

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) students were ordered to shelter in place late Friday night after reports of an armed intruder on campus, prompting a swift response from university police. The alert, issued around 8:58 p.m., followed a car accident on campus where individuals reportedly exited a vehicle with weapons, according to CWRU police statements shared with FOX 8. One suspect, unaffiliated with the university, was detained, and a second individual was later taken into custody, allowing the university to lift the shelter-in-place order by 10:25 p.m.

The incident began when witnesses reported seeing an armed individual inside Michelson House, a south side dormitory. CWRU police locked down all south side residence halls, instructing students to stay indoors and avoid windows while they conducted a thorough search to ensure safety. "CWRU police continue to search and clear south side residence halls for safety," the university posted on X at 8:58 p.m., urging students not to call dispatch unless they had critical information. By 9:45 p.m., the shelter-in-place order was lifted for areas north of Euclid Avenue, though students were advised to steer clear of the south side until the situation was fully resolved.

Police confirmed to FOX 8 that the detained individuals were connected to the car accident, though no further details about the suspects or the nature of the weapons were released. The university's alert system kept students updated, with a final message at 10:25 p.m. declaring the campus clear and safe. "Shelter in place lifted. ALL CLEAR!!" the university announced, signaling a return to normalcy.

This incident follows CWRU's efforts to bolster campus security, including the addition of 35 part-time officers last May, a move tied to heightened tensions during pro-Palestinian protests. For students, the swift resolution was a relief, but the scare underscored ongoing concerns about safety on urban campuses. No injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing.