Emergency UGA Athens Police Alert: Report of an armed shooter at Main Library. Avoid this area. Information at t.co/xlRLzpoCnz.

At approximately 8:45 pm the UGA Police Department Communications Center received a call of a shooter in the area of the UGA Library. Officers quickly responded and searched the area. A preliminary investigation suggests the event was a hoax, but officers remain in the vicinity to investigate and collect information. Please stay away from the area.

Emergency UGA Athens Police Alert: Police are on scene at Library, evidence suggests a hoax. Continue to avoid area. Information at t.co/xlRLzpoCnz

We are writing to provide an update on the investigation into the allegations made earlier this week about an instructor who was accused by social media influencers of inappropriate predatory texting with a minor. The individual involved in this incident has been terminated from employment by the University of Georgia and barred from campus. Our investigation has determined that the instructor, who was working on a limited-term contract with UGA, fled the country late Tuesday. Even so, the UGA Police Department remains fully committed to investigating this case, and we are moving forward with a criminal investigation. On Wednesday, UGA Police executed a search warrant at the individual’s Athens residence and recovered additional evidence. We continue to encourage anyone who might have information about these allegations to contact UGA PD at 706-542-2200. Concerns can also be shared via the CyberTipline, a national reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation. Reports may be made 24/7online at t.co/vyQsz2ThJs or by calling 1-800-843-5678.

We are writing to share information about a situation that occurred yesterday and what we are doing in response. Shortly before noon Tuesday, the UGA Police Department was made aware that social media influencers had confronted an instructor in class with accusations of inappropriate predatory texting with a minor and posted a video of the incident. The rest of the class was canceled. The video exchange was posted online, and by last night, the incident had gone viral. The allegations that have been made against the instructor are deeply troubling, and we want you to know that the University takes them very seriously. An investigation has already been launched, and the instructor was promptly removed from campus while that investigation is pending. The UGA PD has been in communication with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and is working with the social media influencers to collect all relevant evidence. The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences will arrange for another instructor to teach the class for the rest of the semester. The safety of our campus community is our top priority. We encourage anyone who might have information about these allegations to contact UGA PD at 706-542-2200. Concerns can also be shared via the CyberTipline, a national reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation. Reports may be made 24/7 online at t.co/vyQsz2ThJs or by calling 1-800-843-5678. We encourage any students affected by this incident to reach out to Student Care and Outreach at t.co/T9GfaLi6QY for support. Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is also available 24/7 for students seeking additional assistance at t.co/jSmKpZt3rs. Faculty and staff can contact the UGA Employee Assistance Program at t.co/8kqwIyKbPB or University Human Resources at 706-542-2222 or Hrweb@uga.edu.

“If you’re pushed into a position of thinking you need to fight, maybe that pushes people into actions that they wouldn’t otherwise consider, especially if they’re not aware that it’s technically illegal. There are lots of major consequences that could come from that.” t.co/GtwqiO8yrN