Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey, was placed under lockdown Thursday evening after authorities received a report about a possible armed person on campus, prompting an emergency response and fears of a potential shooting.
The situation, however, was later determined to be unfounded, according to Mahwah police.
The incident began around 6 p.m. when Ramapo College Public Safety received a report involving a woman allegedly yelling that a person had a gun near the Berrie Center for Performing Arts.
Police responded to the campus and searched multiple buildings while students and others were instructed to shelter indoors.
Ramapo College Lockdown After Gun Report
An emergency alert sent to the campus community instructed people who were on campus to immediately seek shelter, lock or barricade doors and remain quiet.
People who were not already on campus were told to stay away while police investigated the report.
The alert initially described the situation as an armed individual being at large on campus, which led to heightened concern among students, employees and families.
Mahwah police established a perimeter and searched parts of the campus as a precaution.
Police Determine Report Was Unfounded
After investigating the report, Mahwah police said there was no confirmed armed person on campus.
Police characterized the report as unfounded and continued checking the area out of caution before determining that the campus was safe.
The lockdown was lifted at approximately 8 p.m.
Police officers left the area shortly before 8:30 p.m. after completing their response.
Was There a Shooting at Ramapo College?
There were no confirmed reports of shots being fired at Ramapo College in connection with Thursday’s incident.
The initial report involved a possible person with a gun, but investigators did not find evidence confirming an active shooter or shooting.
As a result, the incident should not be described as a confirmed Ramapo College shooting.
The college’s response nevertheless reflected the seriousness with which reports of a potential weapon on campus are treated.
Ramapo College Campus Returns to Normal Operations
Following the lifting of the lockdown, Ramapo College said normal operations were expected to resume Friday, with increased security remaining in place as a precaution.
College President Cindy R. Jebb thanked Public Safety officers, Mahwah and neighboring police departments, first responders and members of the campus community for their cooperation.
The incident also highlighted the importance of emergency alerts and shelter-in-place procedures when authorities receive reports of a possible threat.
Ramapo College Incident Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| College | Ramapo College of New Jersey |
| Location | Mahwah, New Jersey |
| Incident | Report of possible armed person |
| Approximate time | Around 6 p.m. Thursday |
| Location on campus | Near the Berrie Center |
| Police response | Campus search and perimeter established |
| Lockdown | Implemented and later lifted |
| Confirmed shooting | No |
| Confirmed armed person | No |
| Police finding | Report determined unfounded |
| Ongoing public threat | None reported |
No Confirmed Injuries Reported
There were no confirmed reports of people being shot or injured during the incident.
The available information also does not establish that anyone was arrested or charged in connection with the report.
Because the original report was found to be unfounded, details about exactly why the statement was made remain limited.
Authorities’ immediate priority was determining whether there was an actual threat to students, faculty, staff or visitors.
What Happened at Ramapo College?
The incident demonstrates how quickly a report involving a possible weapon can trigger a major campus security response.
Students were instructed to shelter in place while officers searched buildings, and people away from campus were asked not to return until the situation was resolved.
After the search and investigation, police concluded that the reported armed-person threat was unfounded.
There is currently no confirmed evidence that a shooting occurred at Ramapo College during the incident.
Disclaimer
This article is based on reports concerning the September 10, 2026 lockdown at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. Police determined the report of an armed person was unfounded, and no confirmed shooting or gunfire has been established. Information may be updated if authorities release additional details.