Dec 03, 2013 02:37 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Police are currently inspecting the University of New Haven (UNH) building-by-building after a suspect was taken into custody apparently in relation to a reported gunman spotted near campus.

Around 1 p.m. Tuesday, NBC Connecticut reported, the West Haven Police (WHP) received a 911 call detailing a person getting out of a car appearing to be holding a rifle. The suspected gunman was spotted near a Shop Rite grocery store across from UNH's campus.

CLICK HERE for a LIVE FEED of NBC Connecticut's coverage of the scene.

Shortly after, UNH announced on Twitter a "shelter in place," meaning anyone on campus was to get inside and stay there; in other words, a lockdown. About a half hour later, the police announced a suspect was taken into custody, but the shelter in place was not to be lifted.

EMERGENCY: WHPD has reported an Asian male near South Campus with what appears to be a rifle. SHELTER IN PLACE and await further instruction

— U. of New Haven (@UNH) December 3, 2013

UPDATE: Suspect is in custody, CONTINUE TO SHELTER IN PLACE until further instructions. — U. of New Haven (@UNH) December 3, 2013

Heavy police presence filled the South Campus area of UNH as they investigated the reported car the suspect, described initially as an Asian male, was seen leaving. Police said after the 911 call, they found evidence showing a man got out of a car on Campbell Avenue with a "long gun" but did not say what the evidence was. Police did say they found the car in question, but did not find the weapon.

The suspect, police told NBC Conn., is a student at UNH, is "college age" and lives in Fairfield, CT, where police are searching his home. He also has guns legally registered to him, but it is not clear what type and how many.

According to NBC Conn., police announced just before 2 p.m. the one suspect in custody was the only one believed to be involved. Police continued their search but said it was not for a second person. Shortly after, the WHP indicated the search may be winding down and the shelter in place may soon be lifted.

The school's latest came at about 1:30 stating a "methodical search" is still taking place and the shelter in place was still continuing.

UNH was not the only campus to be placed at least on high alert. Local businesses and area schools were alerted or placed on lockdown. Some of those places have since been cleared for safety.

WHP seem to be finished searching UNH, as NBC Conn. reported seeing search parties leave the campus. However, police presence remains strongly in the Shop Rite plaza, where the reported gunman was spotted leaving a vehicle.

WHP have reportedly reviewed surveillance footage from area buildings. The police remain in the plaza despite the search appearing to calm down on the UNH campus.

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