Authorities responded to reports of shots fired at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus Friday afternoon, prompting an emergency evacuation of the campus library.
According to an eyewitness who was inside the building at the time, the situation escalated quickly when police entered the library with weapons drawn and moved upstairs. Students and staff on the first floor of the student commons were evacuated safely. Law enforcement quickly secured the area, surrounding the building and deploying a helicopter overhead for aerial support.
“I’m not 100% sure what is going on. All of a sudden, police showed up with guns out and headed up the stairs,” said one witness, who confirmed they were safely evacuated. “I’m parked far enough away now to feel safe and close enough to see. I’m shook up, but I’m safe.”
USF Police have not yet released an official statement or confirmed the nature of the threat. It is also not yet known if any suspects have been apprehended or if shots were actually fired. There have been no confirmed reports of injuries at this time.
As a precaution, the library and surrounding areas remain secured while authorities investigate the incident. Students and faculty are urged to avoid the area and await further instructions from campus safety officials.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as additional information becomes available.
