Lockdown Lifted at Ramapo College After Police Investigate Unfounded Gunman Report
the staff of the Ridgewood bog
MAHWAH, NJ — A high-stress situation at Ramapo College of New Jersey came to an end Thursday night after police determined that reports of a potential gunman on campus were completely unfounded.
The Mahwah campus was placed on lockdown for over two hours as law enforcement officers searched multiple buildings out of an abundance of caution.
How the Incident Unfolded
The scare began at approximately 5:46 PM when the Ramapo College Public Safety Department received a report that a woman was heard screaming “He has a gun” near the Berrie Center for Performing Arts.
Mahwah Police responded rapidly to the campus around 6:00 PM and established a secure perimeter under the leadership of Captain Michael Blondin.
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Initial Report: A bystander heard a scream near the performing arts center and immediately alerted authorities before leaving the area for safety. The complainant noted she did not visually see a weapon herself.
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Campus Response: Public safety and local police placed the entire campus on lockdown, instructing students and faculty to shelter in place. For many newly arrived students—just two weeks into the semester—the experience was nerve-wracking.
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Building Searches: Tactical teams were deployed to clear all buildings in the immediate vicinity and investigate secondary calls stemming from the original report.
Official Investigation & All-Clear
Following thorough searches of the area, officers confirmed there was no active threat, no weapon found, and no gunman on campus. Police noted that while the initial report proved unfounded, the caller acted with good intentions.
The lockdown was officially lifted at 8:00 PM. Mahwah Police expressed their gratitude to the Ramsey Police Department and Upper Saddle River Police Department for their swift mutual-aid support during the incident.
Note: This incident occurred on the same day as a separate, unrelated report of a gunman near a public school in Palisades Park, NJ, which also forced temporary school lockdowns before being declared unfounded by local authorities.
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