CWRU Alert: Suspects Apprehended After Police Incident on Campus, Portions of Case Quad Remain Closed

CLEVELAND, OH — Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) issued an all-clear alert late this afternoon after law enforcement officers apprehended suspects involved in a police incident that briefly placed the university under lockdown.

The situation began earlier in the day when Cleveland Police pursued suspects in connection with a reported possible shooting near the university. The individuals fled onto campus, prompting immediate emergency measures, including a shelter-in-place order for students, staff, and faculty.

Timeline of Events

• Initial Alert — Emergency Declared: The first university-wide alert notified the campus community of an emergency on campus, instructing individuals to shelter in place. Those outdoors were urged to seek a safe location.

• Follow-Up (5:44 p.m. Update): Officials confirmed that Cleveland Police were actively involved in an incident linked to a possible shooting. Reports indicated that a suspect may have been in the area of Lot 1 and Case Quad, both central locations on campus. Buildings were switched to card-access only, ensuring that only authorized students and staff could enter facilities.

• Shelter-in-Place Protocols: The university directed individuals to review and follow its Shelter in Place procedures, emphasizing that members of the community should not attempt to exit buildings or call campus security except in cases of immediate emergency.

• All-Clear Issued: Later, CWRU confirmed that suspects had been apprehended and that the immediate threat was resolved. However, officials noted that Tomlinson Hall and portions of Case Quad will remain closed until further notice while authorities continue their investigation and secure the area.

Safety Guidance During the Incident

Throughout the unfolding situation, campus officials repeatedly urged individuals to remain indoors, restrict building access, and follow directions from first responders. For those located specifically in Crawford Hall and Tomlinson Hall, directives were clear: do not exit onto the quad under any circumstances.

CWRU reminded students and staff that if experiencing a direct emergency, they should immediately call the campus emergency number: 216.368.3333.

Aftermath and Ongoing Closures

Although the suspects have now been detained, the university is keeping certain areas—including parts of Case Quad—off-limits as a precaution and to allow law enforcement to complete their work. Students, staff, and faculty are asked to avoid the area and comply with any instructions issued by officers or campus security personnel on site.

The safety of the campus community remains the highest priority, and CWRU has emphasized that any further updates will be shared through official alert systems and university communication channels.

Community Response and Safety Reminders

The swift shelter-in-place measures and law enforcement coordination highlight the importance of preparedness during emergencies on college campuses. University officials stressed that community members should always remain alert to emergency notifications, understand evacuation and shelter protocols, and avoid spreading unverified information on social media during unfolding incidents.

The university also encouraged the community to review its CWRU Ready safety programs, which provide step-by-step guidance for handling emergencies ranging from active threats to severe weather.

Current Status

• Suspects have been apprehended.

• No ongoing threat to campus safety at this time.

• Case Quad, including Tomlinson Hall, remains partially closed pending further investigation.

• Campus operations outside of the affected area continue as normal.

CWRU officials are expected to provide additional information regarding the nature of the incident and any confirmed injuries or damages as the investigation develops. For now, students and staff are asked to remain alert, avoid Case Quad, and monitor official communications for further updates.