According to a press release by ULM PD, a suspect triggered a lockdown at 4:30 a.m. Friday morning.

“Monroe Police officers were pursing a vehicle burglary suspect in the 800 block of Filhiol  Ave., and UPD officers in the area assisted,” Officer in Charge Steven Mahon said in the email.

Mahon said through the course of the investigation, it was uncovered that the suspect may have stolen a .45 caliber handgun from a vehicle located off-campus.

“As a precautionary measure to keep our students safe, a lockdown order was issued while law enforcement officers searched the area for the suspect,” Mahon said.

Monroe Police have concluded their search, and the suspect was not apprehended.

“ULM surveillance footage indicated the suspect fled away from campus, so the lockdown order was lifted. The campus returned to normal operations at 5:30am,” Mahon said in the email.

The lockdown was lifted at 5:30 a.m.

Darren Rindt lives off campus and said while he felt safe, he was worried about those that lived on campus.

“If that had been during regular school hours it could have been much worse. Ninety-nine percent of all faculty on campus are unarmed. There is no legitimate way for us to defend ourselves,” said Rindt, a junior criminal justice major.

Jimmy Crockett, a major of the Monroe Police Department, wanted students to be aware of how to protect themselves.

“The easiest way to prevent a car theft is to take your keys out of your car and lock it,” Crockett said.

Crockett also advised students to try to park in well-lit areas.

“Be aware of your surroundings. Criminals are less likely to break into things in well-lit areas. They’d rather break into that car off by itself in the dark,” Crockett said.

According to Crockett, during a lockdown students should always listen to the police.

“Our number one priority is the students. It may be an inconvenience for a short time, but it’s for your safety,” Crockett said.

Crockett said that while the lockdown had a “good ending,” you never know when a suspect may be angry.

“If someone has armed themselves and they are angry, you never know what might happen. They may shoot the first person they see,” Crockett said.

Crockett also said that students should always stay within the measures of the lockdown to ensure their personal safety.

Crockett said that during a lockdown officers immediately ensure the safety of students.

“After safety is assured we start hunting down the suspect in what some call a pie system. We break the area down like a pie and start from the center,” Crockett said.

Crockett said that this system may take time, but it is for student safety in the end.

Crockett said gun regulations vary from campus to campus, but asks that all gun owners are safe with their weapons.

“If you’re carrying a gun in your car and get stopped, let us know as soon as you are stopped,” Crockett said.