By: Philippe Buteau/News Director
UPDATE (6:20 p.m.) No University students or staff were involved and there were no violent felonies, said Sergeant Jorge Rodriguez of Miami-Dade County Police Department to Student Media. He did not give more information as it is an on-going investigation.
Panther Hall resident and freshman nursing major Rachel Gordon-Barrett said to Panther Hall was in lockdown for an hour.
“I didn’t feel informed because they didn’t say what was going on. I had to check my FIU email to find out,” Gordon-Barrett said.
For the future Gordon-Barrett said the University should tell resident assistants immediately and the University should “be more specific in their alerts.”
UPDATE (6:05 p.m.): Suspect not found, and normal University operations have resumed. According to Miami-Dade police, suspect was unarmed, and an ongoing investigation will be pursued.
UPDATE (5:45 p.m.): A K-9 unit, two officers wearing bulletproof vests, are searching FIU Stadium.
UPDATE (5:35 p.m.): Along with University police, Sweetwater police are also on the scene.
UPDATE (5:25 p.m.): Panther Hall is on lockdown, and according to a Housing employee, all buildings close to the preserve are also on lockdown.
(5:01 p.m.): Police officers from the University are helping Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s officers in their search of an alleged drug dealer, officials said.
The dealer, described as a young black male with a purple shirt, came on to the Modesto Maidique Campus to deliver drugs and was followed by county police. The suspect ran into the nature preserve and has not been found as of this report.
The University is urging the community to stay away from the nature preserve and the west side of the campus.
Student Media will update this report with more information as it becomes available.
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