LU lockdown lifted after overnight threat

Lincoln University was on lockdown for close to 1 1/2 hours early Wednesday morning after a threat of someone heading to campus to assault someone with knives.

Emails warned students and faculty of the lockdown, which started at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and was lifted at 3 a.m.

Both LU Police and the Jefferson City Police Department investigated the threat of a white male walking to campus to harm students. He was described as a white male in his early 20s wearing an orange hoodie with a black shirt and black jeans. He had gauges (large holes) in his ears.

At about 1 a.m., LU Police received a call from a concerned citizen with information that a man was heading to the Lincoln University campus with intent to harm someone.

Officers worked for about 90 minutes to find the suspect, who was reported to be armed with knives and walking to campus, according to a news release.

Officers found the suspect at about 8 a.m. and the individual voluntarily committed himself for mental evaluation. The lockdown was lifted five hours earlier, after it was determined the threat was minimized. LU said the lockdown was lifted after authorities had reason to believe the suspect was not in the process of going to the campus.

Classes and business offices operated on regular schedules for the day.

The university reminds students and faculty to always be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious individuals or activity to the Lincoln University Police Department at 681-5555.