Embry-Riddle University Locked Down After Campus Threat Reported in Volusia County

On the evening of 17 February 2026, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach campus was placed on a temporary lockdown following a threatening call authorities received regarding a possible active shooter in the area.

Daytona Beach News Journal reports that the threat was reported at the Mori Hosseini Student Union around 20:40, alerting them that a person would arrive on campus in five minutes with the intent to 'shoot it up.'

The said threat prompted campus officials to activate emergency protocols, sending shelter-in-place alerts to students, faculty, and staff.

The alerts provided instructions to the campus community, saying, 'No matter where you are on campus, you shelter in place,' until further notice, as authorities – such as the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD), Volusia County Sheriff's Office, and FBI teams – arrived on the scene.

Threat Investigation Rolls Out

Officers quickly evacuated the vicinity of the Mori Hosseini Student Union, which was the area referenced in the call. The police began sweeping the campus to confirm there were no hostile individuals present.

The Daytona Beach PD officers remained on scene, guiding students safely to their dorms, as well as warning the general public to avoid the area while the investigation was ongoing. No active threat, firearm, or shooter was discovered during the search.

According to News 6, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood stressed that the situation was treated as a threat, but not an ongoing active shooter incident. He also emphasised that such reports trigger automatic lockdowns in accordance with existing safety protocols.

Meanwhile, the FBI is also assisting local officials in determining the origin and veracity of the call as part of the ongoing investigation.

Campus Safety Protocols Activated

Embry-Riddle's Campus Safety team coordinated closely with responding officers to implement emergency protocols, including sheltering and conducting area security checks, in line with existing campus safety guidelines.

University officials later confirmed that following an extensive search of the campus, no legitimate threat was found, and regular campus operations resumed once students and staff were confirmed safe.

The university's public safety resources indicate that Embry-Riddle frequently collaborates with local law enforcement and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office to develop safety strategies and incident management protocols.

These partnerships aim to ensure prompt verification and containment in the event of threats, whether confirmed or precautionary.

Student Reaction And Campus Atmosphere During Lockdown

WESH 2 spoke with a freshman student Nick Krasznavolgyi, describing the incident as 'nerve-wracking.'

'Especially these kind of threats are unfortunately common today, and so I got the notification, my heart instantly dropped to my stomach, and I started hauling back to my dorm. It was a pretty scary experience,' he added.

Several students recounted their experiences online as the lockdown unfolded, which was indicative of the anxiety many young adults feel in the face of campus security threats. Some noted that they swiftly returned to their dorms after receiving the alert amid concern for their safety.

Other students reported seeing the police block access points and gather around the key campus locations during the response, which, in their opinion, added to the atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.

Although the threat was ultimately not confirmed, the immediate effect on the campus community underscored the emotional impact that even unverified threats can have on the institution's constituents.

Originally published on IBTimes UK