USC: False shooter alert came from faculty member

Photo: USA TODAY

It's bad enough what the country has gone through after the Saturday night terrorist shooting attack in Las Vegas. A false report of an active shooter on the campus of the University of Southern California was made and it was discovered the false report was made by a staffer Monday afternoon, according to USA TODAY Sports.

The staff member reportedly told students during class that there was an active shooter in the building. Her frightening announcement came just hours after the Las Vegas massacre in which at least 59 people were killed and 527 wounded or injured by Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old apparent lunatic who turned the gun on himself before police could get to him.

The school went on lockdown shortly after noon, once reports surfaced of an alleged shooter on campus.

The university sent out campus wide alerts announcing police activity in the area and told staff and students to seek shelter and avoid the area in downtown Los Angeles.

Law enforcement found no immediate signs of gunfire and the police searched in and around the building where the shooter was alleged to be, but they found no signs of a shooter.

Police gave an all clear in less than an hour.

Perhaps this was the staffer's way of creating awareness of the dangers of using firearms. Who knows?

But she should be charged with making a false report and be made to pay expenses of the departments involved with the response.


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