Crime
Miscommunication Triggers Active Shooter Response at Muskingum University
Muskingum County, OH – A miscommunication led to a large-scale law enforcement response at Muskingum University following a false report of an active shooter, according to the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Matt Lutz stated that the incident began around 6:35 p.m. when a university staff member overheard students discussing a dispute between a male and female that had allegedly occurred earlier in the day.
The staff member, interpreting the conversation as a potential hostage or active shooter situation, promptly reported it to a Muskingum University police officer.
“The report was kind of confusing at the time,” Lutz explained. “It came into [the officer] as a person saying there was someone holding a hostage or possibly had a gun—an active shooter-type situation.”
Upon receiving the report, the university police officer relayed the information to the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, which dispatched deputies to the campus under active shooter protocols.
In response to the report, Muskingum University issued a shelter-in-place order, instructing students, faculty, and staff to remain indoors as law enforcement swept the campus for any potential threats.
However, after a thorough investigation, officials determined that no active threat existed.
“We think this was probably miscommunication to a certain extent,” Lutz said.
Authorities believe the original dispute—which had been described as “very loud”—circulated among students on social media, where details were misinterpreted and exaggerated.
“I think some of that got carried over into tonight’s incident,” Lutz noted. “So it was two completely different incidents. There wasn’t anybody injured or anything from the first incident. It wasn’t even reported at the time.”
The misinformation spread online may have contributed to the staff member’s concern, leading them to report what they overheard to law enforcement.
“The chatter on social media got turned and twisted, and the staff member overheard students talking about it,” Lutz explained. “I think that got kind of misunderstood. But the report went to the police department, it came to us, and we responded accordingly.”
Following the investigation and campus search, law enforcement confirmed that no shooting had occurred and that no one was injured.
While a follow-up investigation is underway, Lutz stated that, as of Monday night, no criminal charges are expected.
The shelter-in-place order has since been lifted, and the campus has resumed normal operations.
Authorities are reminding students and staff to report concerns directly and accurately to law enforcement to avoid unnecessary panic and ensure appropriate responses to genuine threats.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.