University at Buffalo library evacuated after report of suspicious person, possibly with gun

University at Buffalo library evacuated

AMHERST, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo evacuated a library on its suburban Amherst campus Tuesday night after campus police received a call about a suspicious person entering the building, possibly with a gun.

“All we have right now is a report of a suspicious person,” university spokesman Joe Brennan said. “No one has been hurt, and no shots have been fired. Police are taking this seriously, and doing a careful, thorough search.”

University police issued the e-mail alert about Lockwood Memorial Library about 4:40 p.m., and announced an hour later that evening classes were canceled.

Freshman Claire Kerstein’s English class was on the bottom floor of the building when a librarian came in and, without explanation, ordered everyone out.

“I basically ran out as fast as I could,” the 18-year-old from Rochester said. “I just wanted to make sure I was going to be safe. There were a lot of police all around the building.”

The library, which is open to the general public, is the largest in the State University of New York system. Police cars and ambulances were posted at campus entrances Tuesday evening.