Shots fired on campus Wednesday morning; UK police said no injuries reported

By Abbey Cutrer and Alexis Baker news@kykernel.com

Early Wednesday morning, UK police reported that shots were fired in an area near the Johnson Center and Kroger Field. A subsequent update said the incident was not declared an active threat to students, and no individuals were harmed.

Sent via campus-wide email and text on Wednesday morning, a bulletin said shots were fired at 1:28 a.m. on Feb. 15 in the area of University and Cooper Drive near Parking Structure 1. The alert said to avoid the area.

A siren sounded across campus with a voice saying, “Attention attention, seek shelter immediately.”

UK’s emergency alert system, UK Alerts, shared another update at 2:14 a.m.

“While UK Police are still investigating reports received of shots fired near Parking Structure 1, this is not an active shooter situation,” the website said. “There are no victims reported. We will share more information as it becomes available.”

At 2:22 a.m., another bulletin was sent stating the emergency condition had passed.

“You may safely resume your regularly scheduled activity,” the alert read.

At this same time, another siren sounded on campus with a voice saying “All clear.”

In an interview with Kernel staff, UK Police Chief Joe Monroe said UKPD’s dispatch center received two calls from witnesses after hearing gunshots and seeing someone running away from the area towards Cooper Drive.

“We’re actively following up (with a) lead that they provide a suspect for us,” Monroe said.

Monroe said when he can release the information he will be updating the campus community on the suspect.

In the release, Monroe said officers reported to the scene after a gun was fired from inside a vehicle. It was not an active shooter situation, and there were no victims.

“The safety and well-being of our students, employees and entire campus community is our top priority and the university has made significant investments to keep campus safe,” Monroe said. “Safety is a shared responsibility but an incident like this reinforces why these efforts are so important – this morning, our emergency notification system was activated immediately and police responded in less than two minutes. We will continue to work to make our campus safe and prepared for any emergency.”

By Autumn King news@kykernel.com

UK’s Student Activities Board (SAB) and Collegiate Curls came together to host UK’s first Natural Hair Care Expo, on Thursday afternoon in the Gatton Student Center.

The expo gave students with textured hair a chance to receive tips and tricks, watch demonstrations, receive free products and enter a drawing for a chance to win one of two blow dryers.

“I think hair is your key to confidence. So, I think if your hair looks good, you feel good and you’ll go out and be more successful in whatever you do,” Mollie Share, the person behind the event, said.

Share worked with Melanie Day to find the Lexington businesses that were at the event.