Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) declared a campus emergency shortly before noon on Monday, telling students and faculty to take shelter "after an unidentified, possibly armed man was spotted," Reuters reported.
"The individual may have been perceived to be carrying a weapon," said Mark McLaugh, a university spokesman.
McLaughlin said that shortly before noon, some reported seeing an armed man on campus, hearing that he had a gun and a sword, as reported by The Hartford Courant. Early afternoon confirmed that the authorities were speaking to the suspect.
Police activated a campus-wide alert telling students to lock their doors, and to steer clear, , news reports said.
"All on CCSU campus must seek shelter and stay indoors," read a post from CCSU on twitter.com. "This is not a drill. Campus emergency."
After the notice was sent, Connecticut state police were called in and after Swat officers continued to search the campus, with no report of injuries.
James Warwell, the New Britain Police Chief, described the situation as "still very fluid," without offering elaboration
"I was pulling into Dunkin' Donuts when I heard the alarm. It sounded like a tornado alarm," CCSU student Valenz Santana told The Hartford Courant. Santana had heard reports of a man and a blade of some sort, the newspaper added.
Several police cars were spotted at the campus by the early afternoon. More than 12,000 students attend the university, which has a 182-acre campus, The Associated Press reported.
