Updated at 5:30 p.m. Monday
A lockdown at Utica College was lifted around 5 p.m. Monday, after police conducted a thorough search of every building on campus. Students who live on campus were escorted back to their dorms by law enforcement, while non-resident students, staff and faculty were allowed to leave campus.
The college had been on lockdown for much of the day due to what officials called a "real, credible threat," but the college and police say there had been no confirmation of shots fired or injuries reported.
Utica City police evacuated students and faculty to a safe location. Police said the college received a threat of someone saying he had a weapon around 11 a.m.
The college sent messages on social media throughout the day asking students to shelter in place, saying they would be evacuated and escorted to a safe location. The college's Twitter account also announced that it was canceling "all afternoon and evening classes, events, athletic practices and activities for the rest of today. Please continue to shelter in place."
The college and Utica City Police later said there had been no confirmation of shots or any injuries. State police, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office and Utica City Police were on the scene.
In a press release sent just after 3 p.m., Utica Police said "At this time the Utica Police Department and its partners are continuing to clear the buildings on campus and move the students and faculty to a safe location. As stated before there has been no violence on campus and no reports of any injuries. The threats made earlier continue to be actively investigated. We urge the family and friends of those affected on campus to please be patient at this time, and we will continue to provide updates as timely as we can."
The private college has about 4,000 students.
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