ALL-CLEAR: Washington University Danforth Campus search ends with no weapon found after multi-jurisdiction response
University officials sent text alerts as multiple police departments responded to a report of an armed person on the Washington University Danforth Campus on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Officers searched buildings during the morning and by midmorning the university issued an all-clear indicating no one carrying a weapon was found.
Washington University Danforth Campus: timeline of the morning response
The response began after 9: 15 a. m. when several police departments moved to search buildings on campus. The university sent the first text alert at 9: 18 a. m. as officers were initiating searches. About 10: 05 a. m., officers were returning to their cars near campus and packing up equipment. By 10: 25 a. m., text alerts issued to students and staff conveyed an all-clear, stating that officers did not find anyone with a weapon.
Multi-jurisdiction response and units on scene
Police from St. Louis, Clayton and University City joined the campus response, with University City police officers specifically noted among the jurisdictions that responded. A City of St. Louis tactical SWAT team officer was on scene during the operation. A police helicopter also circled the campus while searches were underway. Nothing was found during the response.
Search operations: equipment and tactics observed
Officers began searching buildings while carrying long guns. As searches progressed and pulling back began, law enforcement personnel packed up equipment near their vehicles. The sequence of visible tactics included building-by-building searches, deployment of tactical personnel, and aerial observation by helicopter prior to the all-clear.
Location details: Danforth campus geography noted
The incident took place on the Danforth campus, west of Skinker Boulevard. The geographic reference was included in initial descriptions of where responding units concentrated their activity.
What is known and what remains unclear
Confirmed from the morning response: multiple jurisdictions searched Washington University buildings on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026; text alerts were sent to students and staff with the first message at 9: 18 a. m.; officers carried long guns during searches; a tactical SWAT officer and a police helicopter were part of the operation; by 10: 25 a. m. university text alerts gave an all-clear stating no weapon was found.
Details not included in the provided context are unclear in the provided context, including the origin of the initial report, whether any investigations continue, and any follow-up statements or actions by university leadership or law enforcement beyond the all-clear messaging.
Officials and community members were left with a clear outcome from the morning activity: an extensive response that concluded without discovery of an armed individual on campus. Further factual updates were not part of the provided context.
