By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published November 14, 2022
Oakland University police have issued an “all-clear” following reports of two gunmen on campus Nov. 14.
Police were advising people to stay indoors as early as 4 a.m. that morning as officers pursued two armed subjects.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said the suspects were involved in a car chase from Genesee County involving three stolen cars.
The occupants reportedly exchanged gunfire with a security guard while stealing the cars and fled into Oakland County, where they crashed and fled on foot sometime around 4 a.m.
The two armed suspects were spotted on Oakland University’s east campus at around 4:30 a.m., and OU police sent out an alert urging people in the area to remain indoors.
The suspects were described as two males, of a slim build. One was reportedly wearing a blue hoodie.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Oakland University police, Auburn Hills police and others.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were on the campus at 7:51 a.m., had set up a perimeter and were “searching with dogs and aerial assets.”
“We encourage everyone at Oakland University to stay indoors until the situation is resolved,” the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
At 8:29 a.m., OU police sent an alert stating that authorities were continuing to pursue the two armed suspects on campus. Residents and employees already on campus were advised to stay indoors, and students, faculty and staff were advised not to report to campus “until further notice.”
At 8:51 a.m., the Oakland County Sheriff's Office released the shelter in place order, stating that a witness saw two individuals matching the description of the suspects get into a vehicle that pulled up and “they fled the area hours ago.”
A shelter-in-place request at Oakland University was canceled at 9 a.m. Nov. 14, after a witness saw two armed men flee the area in a car. At 9:30 a.m. Oakland University police issued an “all-clear” regarding armed suspects on campus. Officials said campus community members are now free to move about campus, but classes and all other campus activities have been delayed until noon.
Rochester Community Schools Superintendent Robert Shaner said the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office advised the district — which has many schools near the area — that it was “safe to proceed with school” Nov. 14. As an extra precaution, Shaner said, there was an “increased police presence in and around our buildings.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the OUPD at (248) 370-3331.