Chattanooga, August 27, 2025

News Summary

An active shooter report at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga forced a campus-wide lockdown, later deemed a hoax. The incident triggered a swift response from law enforcement, resulting in the evacuation of students and staff. After a thorough investigation, no evidence of a threat was found, and all-clear was issued. Counseling services were made available to students feeling distressed. The lockdown lasted approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes, with no injuries reported throughout the incident.

Chattanooga Encounters False Alarm of Active Shooter at UTC

An active shooter report at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) on Thursday, August 21, led to immediate lockdowns across campus and nearby areas, but it was later determined to be a hoax. The initial alert was received at approximately 12:29 p.m., triggering a swift law enforcement response.

Authorities promptly evacuated students from classrooms during the start of the academic year, as police began a thorough search of the campus. By 12:42 p.m., UTC officials guided students on safety protocols like “Run. Hide. Fight,” amid conflicting reports about a potential shooter near either the university center or library. The Hamilton County emergency alert system followed suit with an alert at 12:50 p.m..

At 1:02 p.m., the Chattanooga Police Department confirmed it was actively collaborating with UTC police to verify allegations of shots fired. However, after extensive investigations, the all-clear was announced, and the lockdown was lifted around 1:51 p.m. as no evidence of any threat was found.

Following the incident, all classes and activities at UTC were canceled for the day, allowing students to safely leave the campus. The local law enforcement agencies, including campus police, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI, are currently investigating the false alarm.

No individuals were detained, and fortunately, no injuries were reported throughout the entire event. This incident echoes a similar hoax that occurred at Chattanooga State Community College last year. Law enforcement officials stated that despite previous incidents, safety protocols remain unchanged due to the imperative nature of ensuring public safety.

Chattanooga Police Chief emphasized the importance of responding to potential threats seriously, stating that safety cannot be compromised by assuming that threats are fabricated. After the alarming situation, counseling services were made available at UTC’s counseling center for students feeling anxious or distressed due to the events that transpired.

UTC Chancellor Lori Mann Bruce expressed gratitude to students, faculty, and staff for their composed and respectful response during the evacuation process. Throughout the event, law enforcement continuously monitored information from 911 calls and observed the evacuation of students and staff.

After the situation was resolved, normal campus activities were suspended until 8 a.m. the following day, August 22. The university remains dedicated to maintaining safety within its community.

Summary of Events

Time Events:

• 12:29 p.m. – Report of an active shooter received.
• 12:42 p.m. – UTC issues lockdown warning and safety instructions.
• 12:50 p.m. – Hamilton County emergency alert system sends notification.
• 1:02 p.m. – Chattanooga Police confirm ongoing investigation.
• 1:51 p.m. – All-clear announced, lockdown lifted.
• 1:53 p.m. – Normal activities suspended until next morning.

Key Features of the Incident

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Additional Resources

• Times Free Press
• Fox 5 Atlanta
• The Tennessean
• News Channel 5
• USA Today
• Wikipedia: Active Shooter
• Google Search: UTC active shooter report
• Google Scholar: Active Shooter Protocols
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Active Shooter
• Google News: UTC Shooter Incident

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.