MAHWAH, NEW JERSEY — Ramapo College of New Jersey was placed under lockdown Thursday evening after authorities received a report of an armed individual on campus, prompting an urgent shelter-in-place warning for students, faculty and staff.

The incident sparked concern about a possible active-shooter situation, but authorities later said their initial investigation indicated that the report appeared to be unfounded.

Police nevertheless kept the campus under lockdown while officers searched multiple buildings as a precaution.

Armed Individual Report Triggers Emergency Alert

According to the emergency alert sent to the Ramapo College community, an armed individual was reportedly at large on campus.

Those on campus were instructed to immediately shelter inside the nearest available room, lock or barricade the door, silence their phones and remain quiet.

The alert also advised people to move to an area of the room where an intruder could not see them and told anyone who was off campus to stay away.

The warning described the threat as real and imminent and directed the campus community to follow instructions from college officials and local authorities.

The seriousness of the alert led to widespread concern that a shooting or active-shooter incident might be underway.

Mahwah Police Say Report Appears Unfounded

The Mahwah Police Department said officers responded to Ramapo College at approximately 6 p.m. following a report involving a person with a weapon.

Police said the initial investigation indicated that the incident appeared to be unfounded.

Despite that preliminary finding, officers continued searching multiple buildings while the lockdown remained in effect.

Authorities said the precautionary response was intended to protect the campus community while officers worked to establish exactly what had happened.

No Confirmed Shooting Reported

At the time of the latest available information, there were no confirmed reports of shots being fired at Ramapo College.

There were also no confirmed reports of injuries or deaths connected to the incident.

The distinction is important because the original emergency alert warned of an armed individual, while police later characterized the report as apparently unfounded.

A lockdown can remain in place while officers investigate even when an initial threat has not been substantiated.

Students Told to Remain Sheltered

The college’s emergency instructions urged people already on campus not to move unnecessarily and to remain inside secured rooms.

Those who were away from campus were told not to return while the emergency response was underway.

Ramapo College maintains emergency procedures for armed intruder and active-shooter situations, including restricted movement and lockdown protocols.

The college’s public-safety guidance emphasizes following official instructions during an emergency rather than attempting to investigate a suspected threat independently.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

The situation remained under investigation as police searched the campus and worked to determine whether there was an actual weapon or threat.

At this stage, the available information does not establish that a shooting occurred.

It also does not establish that anyone was injured.

Additional information from Ramapo College or Mahwah authorities could clarify whether the lockdown has been lifted and whether any person was located or identified in connection with the original report.

About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public liberal arts college located in Mahwah Township in Bergen County, near the New Jersey-New York border.

The campus covers approximately 300 acres and serves thousands of students.

The college maintains a dedicated public-safety operation and emergency communication system designed to alert the campus community during serious incidents.

What We Know So Far

The reported incident began Thursday evening with a call concerning a person allegedly carrying a weapon on the Ramapo College campus.

A shelter-in-place alert was subsequently issued, and the campus was placed under lockdown.

Mahwah police responded and began searching buildings across campus.

Police later said the initial investigation indicated that the report appeared to be unfounded.

There are currently no confirmed reports of shots fired, injuries or fatalities.

The investigation and campus security response remain the focus as authorities work to determine what prompted the original report.

Disclaimer

This is a developing incident and details may change as Ramapo College and Mahwah authorities release additional information. The available information does not confirm that a shooting occurred, and reports of an armed individual should not be treated as proof that a weapon was actually present. Readers should rely on official emergency instructions and verified updates from authorities for the latest information.