UNC-Wilmington student criticizes university’s response to threat, calls for better communication

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) — A UNC-Wilmington (UNCW) student says the university needed to communicate more with students while responding to a threat of a gunman on campus.

The university received reports of an armed gunman on campus Thursday evening, and found the reports to be unfounded after issuing a shelter-in-place while police investigated.

On Friday, UNC-Chapel Hill announced increased patrols on campus out of an abundance of caution following Thursday’s threat at UNCW.

UNCW senior Caitlyn Smith was on campus Thursday evening when she said she saw on social media reports of an armed gunman at around 6:40 p.m.

“I looked down at my phone and I see this Yik Yak trending saying that there’s an active shooter on campus or a gunman on campus,” Smith said.

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The university sent the first alert at 7:19 p.m., telling students to shelter in place, and a follow-up alert around an hour later, telling students to continue to shelter in place.

By around 9:50 p.m., the university gave an all-clear.

Still, Smith said the university owed students and staff better communication during the ordeal.

“I just was hoping that there would be more specifics in those messages to help not only parents, but off-campus students understand what could be going on,” she said.

ABC11 brought Smith’s concerns to UNC-Wilmington. A spokesperson sent a statement addressing her concerns:

“UNCW follows established emergency response protocols that are regularly tested and refined. We understand that any delay can feel unsettling, and we are committed to reviewing our processes after every incident to improve response and communication.

When reports come in, UNCW Police immediately prioritize active response and investigation to address the potential threat. Campus alerts are issued as soon as law enforcement can confirm essential facts. This ensures that communications are both accurate and actionable.

Sending unverified or conflicting details too quickly could create greater confusion or risk. Communication follows as quickly as possible once essential facts are confirmed. In both cases, officers immediately begin investigating the report and coordinating with local law enforcement. The timing of updates is carefully managed to balance urgency with accuracy.”

The university also offered support for students on campus following the threat.

Smith said clearer communication could have prevented unnecessary trauma.

“To be crying hysterically on the phone to my mom and telling my parents that I love them and then being on the phone with my friends who are also telling me that they, you know, would be just grateful to see us,” she said. “It’s just, it’s terrifying to think that there were no specifics given.”