Phoenix police: Suspect in custody after barricading himself inside school
PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Police say an armed suspect has been taken into custody after barricaded himself inside a Phoenix school.
The Phoenix Police Department says the suspect was armed with a knife and when he walked into the school's campus on Tuesday and barricaded himself inside a room at DeVry University near 21st Avenue and Dunlap.
The man slipped in to the building and nobody is quite sure how. He said he was injured and needed an ambulance, then he went in a room and barricaded himself inside -- throwing the school into chaos.
Hundreds of students were at the Chamberlain College of Nursing at DeVry University -- they arrived to take final exams, but that changed in a hurry.
"They told us a guy with a knife on campus barricaded himself in lounge near our classroom, so we did lockdown procedures, stayed away from windows, waited it out for about an hour," said Vryan Co, a student.
Then police told the students to leave. Meanwhile, a SWAT-type team formed and negotiators tried to talk the man out of the room. Outside, students reflected on how a routine day suddenly became dramatic.
"I came for a final.. now I'm checking if my friends are okay.. really puts things into perspective," said Jenna Little, a student.
The man gave himself up a little before 12:00 p.m.
No injuries were reported, but a lot of inconvenience.
"Well, today is finals. I work full time. This was my day to take a final. This sucks. We want to finish.. close to graduation. I want to be done," said Brookcie, a student.
DeVry University, Chamberlain College of Nursing and Carrington College released the following statement:
"The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority. On behalf of DeVry University, Chamberlain College of Nursing and Carrington College, which are located at 2149 W. Dunlap Ave, we are pleased to say everyone on campus this morning was safely evacuated without issue. Our concern now is for the health and well-being of the individual."