Alabama dorm locked down after gun reports, no weapons found

Alabama President Judy Bonner issued a statement Monday saying the episode resulted from rumors and social media posts.

The University of Alabama says police have searched a dormitory after receiving reports of people with firearms, but a thorough search found no weapons or people not authorized to be there.

In a statement on its website, the university said the information provided to university police and other law enforcement agencies about the situation at Tutwiler Hall was "based on rumors and social media posts and not actual witness accounts."

Al.com reports police and school officials were on the scene since shortly after 11 p.m., and that residents were not allowed to enter or exit the all-female dormitory for about 45 minutes after officers arrived. It said school officials said no other dorms were on lockdown.

The university said it would investigate to determine where the posts originated.

Alabama President Judy Bonner issued a statement Monday saying the episode resulted from rumors and social media posts.

Police searched the nearly 1,000-student Tutwiler dormitory late Sunday after reports about people with guns. Students had to stay in their rooms, and no one was allowed in or out.

The search didn't turn up any weapons or unauthorized individuals, and the university says students were never in danger.

The university says a parent notified a police agency about possible gunmen after hearing from a daughter who saw social media posts and heard it from fellow students. That agency contacted university police, prompting the search.