Two people shot dead at UCLA; campus on lockdown

The university has more than 43,000 enrolled students, according to its website.

By REUTERS
Updated: JUNE 1, 2016 22:01
UCLA campus (photo credit: REUTERS)
UCLA campus
(photo credit: REUTERS)
At least two people were shot dead at the University of California, Los Angeles on Wednesday, police and campus officials said, drawing officers in camouflage and tactical gear to the scene and prompting officials to lock down the campus.
One of the dead could have been the shooter, UCLA Police Chief James Herren told reporters.
"It is certainly possible that one of the victims is a shooter," Herren said.
Police found a suicide note and handgun, NBC Los Angeles reported, citing an unidentified source.
Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Aareon Jefferson reported two fatalities from the shooting but could not confirm any details about the victims or provide further information about the suspect.
"The LAPD is continuing a methodical search of the campus and surrounding areas," police said in a statement.
The campus remained on lockdown, UCLA's office of media relations said.
Bioengineering student Bahjat Alirani said police were yelling at people to run from the scene.
"I was in Boelter Hall to take a final and I exit the staircase to see SWAT-looking police yelling at everyone to evacuate immediately," Alirani told Reuters. "I check my email and BruinAlert had immediately sent an email to all students notifying them of a shooter in the engineering building."
The university has more than 43,000 enrolled students, according to its website.
UCLA is in the Westwood section of Los Angeles and one of the more well-regarded schools in the University of California system, known for its successful sports program.
The city of Los Angeles was placed on a tactical alert citywide, which means officials can allocate resources based on need, Los Angeles Police Captain Andrew Neiman told reporters near the scene.
There were no reports of bombs or other devices, Neiman said.
Police received multiple calls of shots fired around 10 a.m. (1700 GMT), triggering an immediate search for suspects and victims by LAPD and campus police, officials said.
Erica Roberts, a sophomore economics major from Rockville, Maryland, said she took shelter inside the student health center about 10 minutes after she had arrived for work there.
"Everyone is really on edge and contacting loved ones to let them know we are safe," she said in a telephone interview. "I'm trying to stay in contact with all my friends on campus to make sure they are OK. Everyone is just terrified."