UPDATE: An official with the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed that Colton Tooley, 19, was the gunman involved in the incident at the University of Texas today.
A gunman who fired shots on the University of Texas at Austin campus has been identified by authorities as a student of the university. Officials have not yet released his name.
Neil Grey was also on campus when the shootings happened. He said he saw a man wearing a black three-piece suit and a black ski mask running down 21st Street. As he ran, he fired an AK-47 in all directions.
Armed gunman on UT campus, campus alert has been issued.
UT police say an active shooting situation is taking place on campus. Officials believe they have the suspect contained. No other details are available.
“I’m driving there right now trying to get there,” university spokeswoman Rhonda Weldon said.
“The first report I got was that there was an armed suspect in the Perry-Casteneda library. Now I’m told by campus security that the individual has shot himself on the sixth but I’m not there yet so I can’t confirm that.”
Alicia Dietrich, public affairs assistant with the Harry Ransom Center, which is down the street from the library, said she heard the shots as she was parking her bike.
“I didn’t even know for sure that it was gunshots,” Dietrich said at 8:47 a.m. “The sirens went off about five to ten minutes ago. The building has been locked down and I don’t think they’re letting anybody in or out.”
AK-47 assault rifle located. The guy was wearing a suit and ski mask. Well, I don’t think you could miss him.
One person dead of a self inflicted wound. Live feed. Search is on for the second possible shooter.
Some areas of the campus are now closed.
September 28, 2010 at 12:02 pm
The university is closed.
Due to the events of today, the campus is closed. Unless you are needed for essential operations, all faculty, staff and students are urged to leave campus. Students who live on campus with the exception of Jester, San Jacinto, Prather, Roberts, Brackenridge and Moore Hill, may return to their residence halls.
Because the area around the Perry Castenada Library (PCL) is an actively investigated crime scene and due to the difficulty of navigating that portion of the campus, it is urged that area be avoided. As you leave the campus, please exit the campus from north exits. Employees who ride buses to work may catch the bus at Dean Keeton or at on 23rd and San Jacinto. If you are in buildings near the PCL, please exit buildings from exits away from PCL.
On time sheets, please list time away from campus today as Emergency Leave. Also, please check the campus Emergency Web site (http://www.utexas.edu/know/2010/09/28/emergency_alert/ ) for additional updates.
All other campus employees are urged to continue at work and to exercise care until the all clear is given.
Please direct any questions to HRSC@austin.utexas.edu or call 471-HRSC (4772)
September 28, 2010 at 8:14 am
Here we go again. What is wrong with people?
September 28, 2010 at 9:41 am
My kid just graduated from UT. I wish I knew what was wrong with these people before they do something like this.
September 28, 2010 at 10:51 am
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/09/police-man-kills-shooting-ut-austin/
at least he’s the only one dead
September 28, 2010 at 11:38 am
Yes, he was shooting into the air as he ran to the library. Chalk this one up to not taking his meds.
September 28, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Why don’t you wait to hear all the details before you make your harsh judgements…
September 28, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Which harsh judgments would those be? This was a very bright young man with the world ahead of him. He snapped. I’m glad that no one else was hurt. I can only believe that someone who would exit in such a manner was not rowing with both oars in the water for whatever reason. An AK 47 is not your standard home protection equipment. He must have been on the edge for awhile.
September 29, 2010 at 9:12 am
I’ll listen to your inanity after someone shoots at you with an ak47.
that is, if you’re still around to preach afterward.
good riddance to the nut.
September 29, 2010 at 10:54 am
It’s sad to think that someone who was such a bright kid in HS could have done something like this. One good thing came out of this. The kids won’t easily be taken down. It should never be this way, but a school with such a large population really stepped up to the plate. They began texting and getting the word out quickly. This could have turned out far worse.
September 28, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I am just thankful that no innocent people
were injured or killed. This young man
obviously had some serious mental issues and
could not deal with life. It unfortunately
happens from time to time, but it is a real
blessing that no innocent people were killed
September 28, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I am very happy that no one was injured. I remember the tower and the aftermath. This is so sad. I do feel for his parents. I hope that they will be able to get through the next weeks as best as they can.
September 28, 2010 at 6:41 pm
UT, Austin, home to a number of notable scholars and superstar students: One of the latter, now in grad school elsewhere, is the daughter of a valued friend.
September 28, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Yes Mary. I thought I was very upset this morning. 50,000 students and visions of what happened when Whitman decided to shoot innocent students from the clock tower had me reeling. I’m glad that no one other than the gunman was injured. It was amazing how quickly the situation began and ended.