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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.