Reports of gunshots near Florida State University’s 104-acre rec center sports fields facility on FSU’s Southwest Campus led to a brief lockdown Thursday night with officials later saying that they believe fireworks were to blame for the scare.
The Florida State University Police Department (FSUPD) responded to reports of shots fired near the Rec SportsPlex on FSU’s campus. The reports came in at about 9:30 p.m. Students were near the scene at the time of the report.
FSUPD Patrol Night Shift Sergeant Chris Blair told the FSView that FSUPD responded to the scene and found no active incident, adding that there were no reports of victims and there wasn’t a danger to the campus community.
Because the incident occurred near FSU property, FSUPD took priority over the incident and the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) “did not respond,” said TPD Lieutenant Martinez, who was serving as watch commander for the night.
The city’s interactive crime map showed the call as a “weapons violation” with a small gun logo near the SportsPlex.
One FSU student, Josh Cipra, was near the scene for a fraternity intramural football game.
“I was standing midfield waiting for the refs to spot the ball after the play had ended when suddenly seven extremely loud pops were heard. Loud enough to where all the birds on the surrounding fields flew away,” Cipra told the FSView, noting it sounded like gunshots. “The IM managers immediately told everyone to hustle inside of the field house and many of the teams started running across the fields to get inside. Just my teammates on my fraternity team were with me when we hustled inside.”
University spokesperson Amy Farnum-Patronis told the FSView Friday morning that following the investigation, FSUPD believes the sound were actually nearby fireworks rather than gunshots.
Members of the FSU Class of 2026 Parents Facebook group commented on the report.
“My daughter had a close friend there as well. Her friend is out of the lockdown now thankfully! Police escorted them out safely,” one member commented on Facebook.
(This story has been updated with new developments in the investigation.)
This article originally appeared on FSU News: Reports of shots fired near Rec SportsPlex leads to lockdown; FSUPD says it was fireworks
Reporting by Justice Ulrich and Michaela Galligan, FSView / FSU News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
