EMPORIA, Kan. — Panic and uncertainty swept through Emporia Thursday afternoon when Emporia State University (ESU) issued an emergency alert warning of an active shooter at Newman Regional Health, prompting immediate lockdowns and heightened security across the community.
The first alert was sent at 4:40 p.m. on August 28 through ESU’s emergency notification system and official Twitter/X account. It carried a stark warning:
“ESU Alert: An active shooter has been reported at Newman Regional Health. If you are near the area: Run. Hide. Fight. If you are off campus, remain away.”
The threat was reported near Cora Miller Hall and Newman Regional Health, both situated close to the ESU campus. Within minutes, ESU expanded its alert on the university website, reinforcing the “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol widely adopted in active shooter situations:
RUN: Evacuate quickly if possible, assist others only if it’s safe, and call 911 once secure.
HIDE: Shelter in place, lock and barricade doors, silence phones, and remain quiet.
FIGHT: As a last resort, defend yourself using improvised weapons and aggressive action if directly confronted.
The advisory further urged community members to remain calm, keep their hands visible, and follow all law enforcement instructions once responders arrived.
Police units and emergency crews were dispatched immediately to the scene. As of Thursday evening, officials confirmed that no suspect, injuries, or victims had been publicly identified, stressing that the investigation was still active. Updates, they said, will continue through ESU’s RAVE alert system and official communication channels.
The tense incident highlights the critical importance of emergency preparedness and the role of rapid communication between campus authorities, law enforcement, and the wider community in responding to threats of violence.