UGA Issues Emergency Alert Due to Armed Shooter Hoax

News Summary

The University of Georgia issued an emergency alert after reports of an armed shooter near the Main Library. Initial investigations suggested the call was a hoax, and an ‘all clear’ was issued shortly after. UGA condemned the false report, which caused unnecessary fear and diverted emergency services, and is now collaborating with law enforcement to investigate the incident in light of a rising trend of swatting incidents in educational institutions across the country.

ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia (UGA) triggered an emergency alert on August 29, 2025, following reports of an armed shooter near the Main Library. Students and staff were instructed to avoid the area and to shelter in place while first responders were dispatched to the scene.

The alert was issued at approximately 8:51 p.m., shortly after the UGA Police Department (UGAPD) received a call about a potential shooter at around 8:45 p.m. Initial investigations indicated that the reports were likely a hoax. By 10:39 p.m., authorities issued an “all clear” alert, confirming that the situation was a false alarm and there was no ongoing emergency.

The university is now collaborating with both state and federal law enforcement agencies to examine the hoax, which reflects a troubling trend of swatting incidents occurring across the nation. Police maintained a presence on campus, with yellow caution tape blocking the steps of the library and nearby parking areas to secure the site.

UGA officials condemned the hoax reports, highlighting the unnecessary fear it created within the community and the diversion of essential emergency services. Following the incident, support services were made available to students and employees who were affected by the situation.

This incident is part of a larger pattern of swatting events that has targeted multiple colleges and universities recently. Just days before the UGA incident, a tragic shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis on August 27 left two children dead, escalating concerns about campus safety nationwide. Several other educational institutions across the country also received erroneous reports of active shooters during the same week, prompting heightened alarms and emergency responses.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently involved, actively investigating the series of false active shooter calls that have sparked panic across various campuses. The recent UGA alert occurred just one day after the university conducted a test of its emergency alert system, underscoring the institution’s preparedness for emergencies.

Notably, this alert arrived the day before the highly anticipated Georgia football game against Marshall, scheduled for kickoff at 3:30 p.m. on August 30, 2025. University officials appealed to the community, urging them to remain clear of the affected area and refrain from calling emergency services for information during the active response to the hoax.

While no casualties or injuries were linked to the false alarm at UGA, the incident exemplifies serious concerns regarding safety and the misuse of emergency response systems. As investigations continue, UGA and other institutions remain vigilant against the backdrop of an alarming trend in swatting incidents targeting educational facilities.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• The Red & Black
• Atlanta News First
• 11Alive
• Wikipedia: Active Shooter
• Hindustan Times
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Emergency Response