Police investigate report of gunman at University of Rhode Island

Authorities are investigating a report that a gunman has been spotted at the University of Rhode Island, officials said Thursday in a message sent to the university community.

No injuries have been reported and there are no reports of shots being fired.

But as a precaution, classes at the school’s Kingston campus have been canceled and students and others were urged to stay indoors until the investigation is completed.

The alert was sent shortly after 12:30 p.m. EDT.

“The university is still investigating reports of a man with a gun in or around Chafee Hall on the Kingston campus,” the school said. ”We have notified the campus community through our emergency alert system, the website, and email to ‘secure yourself indoors (not Chafee), stay there, and do not move about outside until further notice.’

Officials said they were checking the building room by room.

A statement attributed to Rhode Island State Police Supt. Col. Steven O’Donnell said that a call had been received about a gunman and was being investigated.

“A phone call was made in the last hour from the URI campus reporting an active shooter on campus,” the police statement said. “URI, South Kingstown Police, and State Police were dispatched to respond to the situation. At this time, we have no further evidence to support the report and are responding to the incident.”

Telephone calls to the school were not returned.

Chafee Hall is home to several academic departments and some college administration offices.

The university has an enrollment of about 14,700.

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