Tensions are high at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after a gunman was reported on campus Sunday afternoon.
An “active shooter” alert was issued to MIT students on both their emergency website and on Twitter after school officials received erroneous that a shooting was in progress on school grounds.
MITAlert: Active Shooter reported on campus. Police responding. Evacuate if able or seek shelter. Lock and barricade doors. More to follow.
— MIT Police (@MITPolice) September 13, 2015
The alert was recalled shortly after when officials realized the shooting was actually off-campus.
The shooting reportedly took place at the Cambridge Carnival, near the MIT MBTA train station, just outside of a nearby 7-11 convenience store, according to WCVB.
The Boston Globe reported that not one, but two acts of violent occurred at the festival near the prestigious school. In addition to the shooting, five people were injured in a fight involving several individuals. Police arrested one man tied to this incident.
A witness quoted by The Boston Globe stated that the fight sparked after a man bumped into another man. The situation escalated when “their crews jumped in,” according to the witness. The violence resulted in some minor damage to the immediate location including broken glass, stirring a panic in the carnival crowd and causing many to run away in fear.
Police were able to determine that the incidents were not connected.
The female shooting victim was transported to a hospital in Boston and it appears that her injuries are not life threatening. Cambridge police spokesman Jeremy Warnick announced that they don’t know if the victim was a MIT student.
The shooter is still at large.
Cambridge Police are investigating the shooting incident and are looking for leads from anyone who might have information on the gunman’s identity and whereabouts.
Police have requested that anyone who may be able to aid the investigation contact their tip line by texting Tip411. Users must begin any message they send with “Tip650” for it to be properly submitted. They can also contact the Cambridge Police Department at 617-349-3300 to help.
