AUSTIN – A male gunman opened fire and is believed to have committed suicide on the University of Texas campus this morning, a university spokesman confirmed.

"The shooter is dead on the sixth floor of the Perry-Castañeda Library," the main library on campus, said Don Hale, UT's vice president for public affairs. "He apparently took his own life, although that's not official yet."

Police reportedly sent SWAT officers onto campus to investigate reports of a possible second gunman after witnesses gave differing descriptions of the suspect.

There were no reports of others being injured, said the spokesman, who had no information on the gunman's identity.

Students reported seeing a young man wearing business-style clothes and a mask walk into the library shortly before the shooting. A faculty or staff member approached him to ask if there were a reason he was dressed that way.

Witnesses said up to 10 shots were fired and they saw the gunman hooting and hollering as he made his way through the library. One student said the masked man smiled and waved as he ran past.

UT officials locked down the campus. A siren and loudspeaker system urged students and others to stay inside buildings. The Perry-Castañeda Library is at Speedway and 21st Street, near the campus' southern edge.

Hale estimated the shooting occurred between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Is this the same campus where that fool shot like a dozen people from the clock tower back in the 60's?

Shyra said:

Is this the same campus where that fool shot like a dozen people from the clock tower back in the 60's?

Yep.

Thank goodness no students were caught up in that shooting.

Whaz wrong wit ya'll's cowboys and do? Going off and shootin and carryin on. Well, I ain gonna judge. Po fella musta been really pressed about something...

I know it gets hot in Austin, but damn.

Shyra said:

Whaz wrong wit ya'll's cowboys and do? Going off and shootin and carryin on. Well, I ain gonna judge. Po fella musta been really pressed about something...

I bet it's some dumb fucka failing a class or some shit.

AUSTIN – A student carrying an AK-47 assault rifle who opened fire on the University of Texas campus this morning is believed to have committed suicide after being chased by police into the main library, UT officials and police confirmed.

Austin police Chief Art Acevedo praised students who pointed responding police officers in the direction of the shooter, allowing them to chase him into the Perry-Castañeda Library and likely limiting his potential to harm others, Acevedo said.

No other injuries were reported, and police have eliminated the possibility of a second suspect. Officials locked down the campus for more than three hours, trying to rule out reports of another gunman.

Campus activity will continue as usual tomorrow.

"We are very fortunate in the fact that no one else was injured other than the lone gunman," UT Police Chief Robert Dahlstrom said in a campus news conference this morning.

Shortly before noon, UT announced over loudspeakers that people trapped in buildings near the main library, where the suspect died, could evacuate.

UT officials called off classes for the day, and campus spokesman Don Hale said all students and employees, except those who provide critical services, could go home.

Dahlstrom declined to say whether identification cards were found on the gunman's body on the sixth floor of the library. He said investigators had not determined the gunman's intentions.

"We don't have any motives at this time," Dahlstrom said.

Acevedo said police recovered an AK-47 rifle near the gunman's body on the sixth floor of the Perry-Castañeda Library, the main library on campus. Acevedo said "other rounds were fired" outdoors earlier.

Dahlstrom confirmed the dead man wore all black clothes and a ski mask. Asked if he is the same person as one seen firing shots into the air three blocks west of the library, Dahlstrom said, "We believe it is … from the description."

Acevedo said the gunman “did commit suicide in the library building.”

Under Texas law, even those licensed to carry concealed weapons are prohibited from carrying guns on university campuses.

Police SWAT teams sealed off campus streets and blaring loudspeakers urged students and others to remain indoors about 8:30 a.m., shortly after the gunfire erupted.

Guns!

I know the Longhorns falling in the standings is a horrible thing but gatdamn don't shoot people over it . . . unless it's the QB.

Shyra said:

Is this the same campus where that fool shot like a dozen people from the clock tower back in the 60's?

This cat is no Charles Whitman, that's for sure.