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
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.