Yale gunman could be hoax

Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Police said reports of a gunman on Yale University's campus Monday, which originated from an anonymous caller, could have been a hoax.

The New Haven campus was locked down for several hours Monday after the call came in, with an anonymous tipster claiming his roommate was heading for the university with a gun and the intent to shoot people.

Officials placed the campus under a shelter-in-place order after two witnesses said they saw a man with a gun, but now investigators say those witnesses may have seen members of law enforcement. Police added that no shots were fired, nor was a gun found.

"They may not recognize that person is law enforcement personnel," said New Haven police officer David Hartman, adding that police are "suspicious of any call."

The FBI is in the process of listening to the phone call -- made from a payphone -- and applying voice recognition software to identify the tipster. That person is likely to face chares.

"This is not been a time where we can be relaxed when there is a report of a gun said this was not a test," said New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman.

Parts of Yale's campus remained under lockdown after 4 p.m. out of an overabundance of caution.

"All clear will not be given until it is certain it is all clear," Esserman said.

[WFSB]