Ohio University officials closed the campus on Wednesday afternoon because of a search for a man considered armed and dangerous.
The move came after an armed robber struck and fled on foot toward the campus.
Athens city police swarmed the Station Street Apartment Complex after the report of the robbery around 10 a.m.. The suspect allegedly had a black semi-automatic weapon.
Police said the armed and dangerous individual was reported heading to the direction of Stocker Center/Oxbow trail area.
A text alert sent to OU students told them to watch for a 30- to 35-year-old black male, just over 6 feet tall. He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans and carrying a handgun.
Two hours after the alert was issued, Ohio University officials made the decision to cancel classes and send students to their residences.
“I got text messages, so it was nice to have those updates coming in, so at least you could be careful,” said student Matt Kvalheim.
Bulletins are now posted outside university buildings warning students to be on the look-out for the suspect.
“It may make people more aware of their surroundings,” said student Bryan Hairston.
He said the crime should be a reminder to all students that you can never be too safe.
The crime not only closed classes but also forced the cancellation of the OU versus Eastern Michigan men’s basketball game.
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