At approximately 1:15 p.m. today, Florida Atlantic University’s Jupiter satellite campus went into a state of heightened alert after multiple reports of gunfire were received by campus security. University Police immediately dispatched officers and coordinated with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to secure the area and determine the nature of the incident. Initial indications suggested that the sounds originated near the Harper Academic Building, but as of this writing no victims have been formally identified and no weapons have been recovered.
Officials from FAU’s Public Safety division released a brief statement confirming that they were responding to “reports of possible shots fired” and urged students and staff to shelter in place until further notice. Class schedules were suspended across both the Jupiter and Boca Raton campuses, and an emergency alert text message was sent to all registered university devices instructing everyone to lock doors, remain off corridors and wait for “all-clear” notification from law enforcement. The university’s daily police blotter, which logs incidents ranging from motor-vehicle crashes to trespass warnings, shows no record of a confirmed shooting between April 28 and today’s date, underscoring the preliminary and investigative nature of the response.
FAU’s active shooter procedures, a publicly available guide outlining steps for individuals in such scenarios, emphasize the “Run – Hide – Fight” protocol and caution that communication systems may become overwhelmed during an incident. Campus officials have pointed students and staff toward these guidelines, available on the FAU Police website, and reminded the community that 9-1-1 should be used for verified emergencies only, to keep lines open for first responders.
Students on the Boca Raton campus—but with friends and classmates spread across all FAU locations—expressed shock and concern upon hearing of today’s reports. “Hearing what sounded like gunshots just yards from the lecture hall was terrifying,” said sophomore biology major Maria Ortega. “It brings home how quickly something can change.” Other students described rush-hour chaos, with panicked footsteps echoing through hallways and sheltering individuals offering support to one another.
As investigators comb the area for evidence—reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses and checking ballistic records—classes remain suspended for the rest of the day. University representatives have scheduled a press briefing for later this evening to update the community on any substantive findings and next steps. In the meantime, counseling services have been made available to any FAU community member affected by today’s unsettling events.
Authorities stress that this remains an active investigation: anyone with information is asked to contact the FAU Police Department at (561) 297-3500 or submit tips anonymously via the department’s online portal. Further updates will follow as more details emerge.
