False alarm at College of Saint Rose

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

A report of a man entering a College of Saint Rose building with a rifle was determined to be a college employee with an umbrella.

College Director of Security Steve Stella said he was leaving an academic building earlier today when he saw an Albany police officer interviewing a man. He overheard the man say he saw someone carrying a rifle enter the college’s events and athletic center, which is located on Western Avenue.

Using his radio, Stella said he notified dispatch, which prompted a public announcement for a lockdown and shelter-in-place procedure at the campus. Then alerts were sent out to students via email, text and telephone calls.

He said the building was searched with officers from the Albany Police Department. A review of the cameras in the area showed that the person entering the building was actually a staff member carrying an umbrella.

The College of Saint Rose is currently in its summer session, which means a much smaller percentage of students are on campus compared to the fall and spring semesters.

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