A frightening situation is underway in Columbus, Ohio.
According to local authorities, at least seven people have been taken to a hospital after an active shooter was reported on the campus of Ohio State University.
It is not known at this time the type of injuries nor conditions of those transported.
The school’s emergency management department sent out a Tweet about an hour ago that alerted students to the ongoing situation.
It urged them to take shelter, to be safe and to fight back if necessary; and it gave them an idea of where the shooter had been spotted.
“Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College,” read the first message.
It was followed a few minutes later by: “Continue to shelter in place. Avoid area of College. More information to follow.”
Around 10:20 a.m., the department wrote once more: “Continue to shelter in place in north campus area. Follow directions of Police on scene.”
Watts Hall, one of the locations referenced above, is the university’s materials science and engineering building.
Ohio State senior Anthony Falzarano has already been in contact with CNN, telling the network that he was in class at the time of the shooting.
“We heard a lot of sirens. I was in class and everyone got a text message at the same time for the emergency alert,” the 22-year old said.
“Someone said they heard popping right before we got the alert, but I didn’t hear it. We are in a shelter-in-place right now in the building next door.”
A spokeswoman for the Columbus Fire Department confirms that two people are listed as stable at Grant Medical Center and two others are at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
However, their status is unclear.
NBC Nightly News reports that the FBI, Columbus Police and other agencies are helping the Ohio State University Police on campus.
Courtesy of social media, here is a look at authorities gathered on the scene:
Among others, Ohio Governor John Kasich have taken to Twitter to address the situation.
“Ohio’s thoughts and prayers go out to the Ohio State community. Be safe, listen to first responders,” wrote the former Presidential candidate.
Added Ohio Senator Rob Portman said:
“My and Jane’s thoughts and prayers are with the Ohio State community. Please be safe and listen to our first responders.”
Ohio State University’s main campus in Columbus is one of the largest in the United States. It played host to a major college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, which the Buckeyes won in double overtime.
The university has more than 65,000 students enrolled across the state.
Sophomore Wyatt Crosher has also been in touch with CNN.
He says heard gunfire (maybe “three or four gunshots”) that he thinks came from a class building across the street from his dorm.
Students have been told told to keep their distance from this area while authorities investigate.
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