Update on False Report of Active Shooter

UTC Community:

As we continue to review the incident reported yesterday afternoon—Thursday, August 21, 2025—we would like to share as much additional information as possible regarding the circumstances. Please find below a rough timeline of the incident and response: 

• On 8/21/2025 at approximately 12:29 PM, the Hamilton County 911 Emergency Communications District (HC911) received an emergency telephone call indicating that there was an active shooter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) campus. The caller stated that the incident was occurring at 615 McCallie Avenue. The caller indicated that they were in the UTC Library and saw the suspect – who was a white male, carrying an AR-15. The caller indicated “four shot”. The HC911 Telecommunicator noted hearing two gunshots fired during the call.
• At approximately 12:31 PM, HC911 notified the UTC Police Department (UTCPD) Emergency Communications Center (UTCPD Communications), via telephone and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, that there was an active shooter on the UTC campus. UTCPD Communications immediately dispatched all UTCPD Officers to respond to the library for an active shooter.
  • HC911 simultaneously dispatched all available Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) officers, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies, Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) personnel, and Hamilton County Emergency Medical Service (HCEMS) personnel. HC911 also requested the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Department of Safety & Homeland Security Special Agents, Tennessee Park Rangers, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and others to respond, if able. All agencies responded within minutes.
• At approximately 12:32 PM, UTCPD Officers arrive on-scene and immediately proceeded into the Library. 
• At approximately 12:34 PM, the HC911 Telecommunicator reported hearing a gunshot fired while on the phone with the caller. 
• At approximately 12:35 PM, HC911 received information that there may be a concern at Fletcher Hall. Arriving law enforcement officers went to this location. 
• At 12:36 PM, UTCPD Communications received information that the shooter may be in the University Center. Arriving law enforcement officers went to this location. 
• At approximately 12:36 PM, the HC911 Telecommunicator reported hearing two additional gunshots fired. Approximately 6 seconds later the caller disconnected. 
• A UTC-ALERT message was sent, advising members of the UTC community to “Run. Hide. Fight.”, consistent with the University’s response to armed intruder incidents and national best practices. Subsequent messages were sent approximately every 25 minutes. [Note that receipt times of UTC-ALERT text messages vary based on phone carrier and reception]. 
• A command post was set up at Mocs Alumni Drive and Terrell Owens Way, staffed by UTCPD, CPD, CFD, and HCEMS leadership. 
• Officers continued clearing the UTC Library, University Center, and Fletcher Hall, finding that there was no evidence of a shooting or other threat to the UTC community.
• At 1:51 PM, a UTC-ALERT message was sent indicating that the incident was over and “All Clear”. Students and employees were advised that all University classes and activities were cancelled for the remainder of the day.

This incident was a criminal act, intended to be disruptive and cause chaos.

The incident remains actively under investigation by the UTCPD, CPD, HCSO, Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If you have any information about this incident, please call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.

While this incident did not pose a true emergency, it is essential that students, employees, affiliates, and guests treat such situations as genuine threats to life until public safety officials confirm otherwise.

We hope that this additional information is helpful in understanding what transpired yesterday. Please know that we are continuing to review the incident and response, and will continue to make our community safer in any way that we are able. 

A special thank you, again, to all of the first responder agencies that assisted in ensuring our community was safe yesterday. Most importantly, thank you for taking appropriate measures to keep yourself and your fellow Mocs safe. 

Message issued on 8/22/2025 at 5:00 PM