Campus safe after reported incident

At 3:04 p.m. Wednesday, February 5, Wheaton Campus Safety officials issued an all-clear notification that the campus was safe after a report was issued at 2:32 p.m. that an individual with an ax was seen near Howard Street.

After the initial report, the campus community was sent an emergency notification to go to the nearest secure room to lock or barricade the door and await further instructions. Those not on campus were advised to stay away until notification of an all-clear from campus officials or local authorities.

A prompt investigation by Campus Safety in partnership with Norton police officers concluded that the individual was a student who was on his way to chop up discarded materials at his off-campus apartment adjacent to the main Wheaton campus. Shortly after the original emergency notification was sent to campus, the student called Campus Safety and reported himself as the person of interest.

The campus has been deemed safe and regular operations have resumed.

We would like to thank the prompt response and cooperation of our partners at the Norton Police Department and thank the campus community for their proper response to the emergency notification system.