GAMBIER — The campus of Kenyon College was put on lockdown late Thursday evening after news of a reported crime scene in nearby Apple Valley.
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“We were contacted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office who made it known of a crime scene at Apple Valley and the possibility that a dangerous person might be on campus,” said Mark Ellis, communications director at Kenyon College. A single vehicle was reported found parked at the Brown Family Environmental Center which was believed to be connected to a residence where four individuals were reported missing.
“We sent e-mail and text messages to all students at 10:15 p.m. informing them the campus was now in lockdown. We wanted to be prudent in this situation. Campus security then escorted students back to their dormitories, and campus faculty were encouraged to stay home,” said Ellis. Students residing at the BFEC were transported to Weaver Cottage on the Kenyon campus.
Extra campus security officers were brought in to help secure the campus. “The students were very cooperative during the lockdown,” said Ellis. No other security officials were contacted by the college. Officials from the KCSO and the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation removed the vehicle from the BFEC, and the lockdown was lifted at 7 a.m. today, according to Ellis.
“There is still concern. Our thoughts are with the families,” said Ellis.
