UPDATE 2 : Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – The University of Tennessee has canceled its active threat alert after a stabbing at World’s Fair Park prompted a campus warning Friday. UT says no students or university property were involved. The suspect, initially described as a male wearing black pants and white shoes, was reported heading toward campus on foot. The university says the suspect is no longer considered a threat, and the alert has been lifted.
UPDATE: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee issued an emergency alert Friday morning after a reported stabbing at World’s Fair Park prompted a large law enforcement response near campus.
According to the university’s emergency notification, the incident occurred at World’s Fair Park and did not involve any students or university property. However, UT officials warned that the suspect was believed to be traveling toward the Knoxville campus area, triggering an active threat alert.
The university instructed students, faculty and staff to immediately seek a safe location and barricade themselves while police responded.
“UT Emergency Alert! Active Threat reported,” the message stated.
UT officials said the suspect was initially described as a male wearing black pants and white shoes. Authorities said the suspect was last seen on foot and was believed to be heading west from World’s Fair Park toward the main campus.
The alert directed members of the campus community to monitor their UTK email accounts and the university’s website for additional information and updates as the situation developed.
According to WVLT, Knoxville Police were investigating the stabbing that occurred at World’s Fair Park. The incident generated a significant police presence in the downtown area and around portions of the university campus.
Law enforcement officers quickly responded to the area while university officials activated emergency notification procedures designed to keep the campus community informed during potential threats.
The university emphasized that the stabbing did not occur on campus and that no university-owned property was involved. However, because of the suspect’s reported direction of travel, officials took precautionary measures and urged people to remain vigilant.
Students and employees were advised to follow all instructions from law enforcement and emergency officials until an all-clear notification is issued.
Knoxville Police and University of Tennessee Police continued to investigate the incident Friday. Additional information about the suspect, victim and possible arrests had not yet been released.
This remains a developing story.
ORIGINAL STORY: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — The University of Tennessee issued an emergency alert this (Friday) morning warning of an active threat reported on or near the Knoxville campus, prompting an immediate law enforcement response and shelter-in-place guidance for students, faculty and staff.
The emergency notification instructed members of the campus community to move to a safe location and barricade themselves while police worked to respond to the situation.
“UT Emergency Alert! Active Threat reported on or near campus. Get to a safe location and barricade,” the university’s alert stated.
A more detailed message advised that an active threat had been reported attacking people on or near campus and urged individuals to take immediate protective action.
The alert also noted that police were actively responding and instructed people to keep their hands visible and follow all law enforcement directions.
The warning prompted concern across campus and nearby downtown Knoxville as students, employees and visitors sought information about the developing situation.
According to WVLT, Knoxville Police were investigating a stabbing near World’s Fair Park, located adjacent to the UT campus. The incident reportedly generated a significant police presence in the area and led to heightened safety concerns. Authorities had not immediately released additional details about victims, suspects or potential arrests.
University officials urged the campus community to closely monitor official UT communications, including email alerts and emergency notifications, for the latest information.
The University of Tennessee Police Department and Knoxville Police continued responding to the incident as this situation unfolds.
This is a developing story and additional details are expected to be released as investigators provide updates.
