Student ‘gunman’ arrested at Exeter University

A 25-year-old student has been arrested after allegedly threatening others with a handgun at a British university.

Armed police swarmed over Exeter University today following reports of student threatening others with a gun.

A man was arrested and police are now examining the weapon, with officers believe to be an imitation firearm or blank-firing handgun.

Students revealed how several police vans raced to the scene as armed officers and a dog unit evacuated buildings.

Katie, 21, said: ‘At about 12.20pm there were police with guns and riot shields outside the Amory building. There was someone in handcuffs.’ 

‘The Old Library, Reed Hall, the Innovation Centre and Business School were on lockdown. The Amory was evacuated but the forum was not affected at all. Students were let back in 15 minutes ago.’

Another student, who claimed some people were pulled out of an exam to be evacuated, added: ‘It was a man with a gun. 

‘I was in the cafe but some people were still in the exam because they had extra time, so they were pulled out.

‘I saw the police with their AK47s and I also saw the police dogs. I didn’t see the man with the gun, but I must’ve walked past him.

‘The police were amazing, they were here in seconds. They took the guy out and then debriefed us.’ 

One student said: ‘It happened at about 12pm. I saw five police vehicles outside the Amory building. They were wearing bullet proof vests.

‘The building was put in lockdown and the students evacuated. They also evacuated some of the building nearby such as Reed Hall and the old library, the business school and innovation centre. At about 12.25pm a man came out with police.

‘By that time I would say there were about seven police cars. I didn’t hear any shouting from the police, they seemed to go in and sort it out quite quickly. There are a lot of people still on the campus.

‘The exams are finished but there are still quite a few mostly post-graduates around. The Amory building is like a big study hub for people who don’t want to use the library. Mainly law students.’  

A police spokesman said: ‘Police were called just before 11.30am this morning (Wednesday 19 June) to reports of a male on the University of Exeter campus suspected to be in possession of a firearm.

‘Units immediately attended the scene and were able to identify a specific a room in the Amory Building in which it was believed there was a small number of people.

‘In order to investigate and protect the public, students and staff, two firearms officers and a police dog rapidly entered the building.

‘As they did so, a male came out of the room, identified himself, and was arrested without incident.

‘Officers have subsequently recovered a bag in which they have located what appears to be a metal handgun. Although further examinations and searches are ongoing, the initial examination of the item indicates that this is not believed to be a viable firearm, but is either a replica or blank-firing handgun. It was not loaded.

‘Superintendent Matt Lawler, policing commander for Exeter, East and Mid Devon, said: ‘We are not looking for anybody else in relation to this incident and no-one in the area of the university or wider community should be concerned for their ongoing safety.

‘Whilst for obvious reasons we sent a number of officers to the scene, we have now withdrawn armed officers, and local staff will be making enquiries during the course of the day including searches and taking statements from witnesses.

‘We are very grateful to the staff and students at Exeter University for their cooperation and calm response’.

‘A 25-year-old man from Exeter has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm. He has been taken into custody at Heavitree Road, Exeter, and will be interviewed later today.’