Fayetteville police say there is no evidence of an active shooter following multiple emergency calls that caused widespread alarm across the University of Arkansas campus and surrounding community on Monday afternoon.
Officials confirmed that despite extensive searches and coordinated responses by several law enforcement agencies, no gunfire has been reported, no injuries have occurred, and no arrests have been made.
The individual identified in connection with the reports is Clifford Phillips of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, though authorities stressed that the investigation is ongoing and no direct threat has been confirmed.
The initial call came in at approximately 12:30 p.m., when both the University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) and Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) received reports of an active shooter at David W. Mullins Library.
The large-scale emergency response included campus police, city police, and support from additional agencies. Buildings were quickly locked down as officers began clearing rooms and hallways.
At a news conference held later in the afternoon, officials explained that while they took every report seriously, they had yet to uncover any credible evidence of shots fired.
“As of now, there are no confirmed gunshots, no confirmed injuries, no known suspects in custody, and no arrests have been made,” read an official statement from Fayetteville Police posted to Facebook.
The situation created a ripple effect of precautionary lockdowns across the city. The Neighborhood Walmart on MLK Boulevard went into lockdown as police worked to secure the area.
Fayetteville Public Schools also went under a shelter-in-place order but lifted it once authorities deemed the immediate area safe. Farmington Public Schools, located nearby, kept its shelter-in-place protocols active out of caution, though administrators reassured families that there was no direct threat to students or staff and that classrooms continued operating normally.
Despite the absence of an “all clear” message as of 2:10 p.m., police emphasized that they were continuing to sweep buildings and investigate the source of the false reports.
The identification of Clifford Phillips of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, as a suspect added a new dimension to the unfolding situation, but police did not confirm his role beyond stating that his name had surfaced during the investigation.
It remains unclear whether Phillips was directly responsible for the calls that sparked the panic, or whether his name is connected in another capacity. The incident reflects broader challenges law enforcement agencies face in responding to active shooter reports.
While authorities must act swiftly to protect the public, false alarms can create widespread fear, disrupt daily life, and strain resources. Nevertheless, officials reiterated that public safety remains their top priority, and they urged community members to continue reporting suspicious activity.
As the investigation continues, Fayetteville police and university officials are working to reassure the public that there is no evidence of ongoing danger. While Monday’s events caused understandable anxiety, the swift actions of law enforcement helped prevent panic from escalating further.
Updates are expected as the case develops, and authorities will provide further clarification regarding the involvement of Clifford Phillips once more information is available.
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