(UPDATE: local police say there is no threat at this time, go to this link for more)
There have been unconfirmed reports of an active shooter situation on the campus of the University of Michigan.
Although details are still coming in at this time, the University sent out the following alert message less than an hour ago, while the Michigan basketball team was finishing its Big Ten tournament semi-final game at the United Center in Chicago:
UM EAlert Ann Arbor: Active shooter in Mason Hall . Run, hide, fight. https://t.co/w9rEgQfZYw.
— U-M DPSS (@umichdpss) March 16, 2019
The campus is currently on lockdown.
The Wolverines demolished Minnesota 76-49, and after the game, head coach John Beilein addressed his team on the situation.
Beilein learned of the situation via Athletic Director Warde Manuel.
Michigan AD Warde Manuel briefing John Beilein on active shooter situation on Michigan campus as he walks into locker room to address his team.
— Andrew Kahn (@AndrewKahn) March 16, 2019
Also, the team’s official Twitter account posted the following message:
Final from Chicago. Our thoughts are with everyone back in Ann Arbor. pic.twitter.com/wdFSg3U4tH
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) March 16, 2019
“It’s eye-opening and I hope everyone is alright,” said sophomore guard Luke Wilson. “I hope there are no severe casualties and I’m praying for everyone.”
The situation erupted moments after a vigil was held on campus for the 49 lives lost in the terrorist attack carried out on a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday. The mass murderer who perpetrated the atrocity was an avowed white supremacist and Donald Trump acolyte. Authorities are still assessing the situation in Ann Arbor, and remains to be seen if this incident has any connection at all to the vigil for New Zealand.
“It really goes to show you, with everything that’s going on, you really got to take every moment like it’s your last, and really appreciate life,” Wilson added.
It was certainly a roller coaster of emotion for the Michigan basketball team. Just as they were celebrating a big win, they then received shocking and disturbing news.
“It’s kind of up and down, you hate to hear it, but it what it is,” said freshman guard Adrien Nunez, who added that he was going to check on his friends back in Ann Arbor once he was done with media responsibilities.
Michigan basketball coach John Beilein addressed the situation in his postgame press conference as well, but said little, beyond “thoughts and prayers” (and stuff like that) due to the lack of information available regarding the situation at this time.
Stay tuned for more updates as they come in.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.