Research Buildings Evacuated On Anschutz Campus
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- Research buildings 1 and 2 on the University of Colorado Anschutz Campus were evacuated as a precaution Friday several hours after the mass shooting at an Aurora movie theater.
Shooting suspect James Holmes has connections to the medical school in Aurora. The campus is five blocks away from Holmes' apartment.
Holmes is a PhD student in neurosciences program at the medical school at the University of Colorado Denver Aschutz Medical Campus but officials say he was in the process of withdrawing. There was no reason given for his withdrawal. He enrolled at the university in June 2011.
University spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery said every building Holmes worked in was in the process of being swept by authorities. Non-essential personnel were asked to go home.
University police asked everyone to leave the building at about 12:10 p.m. because the HVAC was going to be turned off.
This alert was sent out to the Anschutz Medical Campus at 12:15 p.m. Friday: The suspect who had earlier ties to campus IS in police custody and we have no reason to believe that our students, staff or visitors are at risk, as a precaution, we are asking all non-essential campus personnel in RC-1 North and South, and RC-2 to leave the campus and/or not report to work. Our police have walked the buildings and believe that there is no reason to be concerned. However, we have specially-trained dogs that will be arriving shortly to add another level of assurance.
