Report Of Shots Fired At USC Turns Out To Be False Alarm

LOS ANGELES (CBS SF) -- A report of shots fired on the campus of the University of Southern California Monday has turned out to be a false alarm.

School officials said falser reports of a shooting were spawned by a faculty member telling her students during class that there was an active shooter in the building.

USC Department of Public Safety chief John Thomas said Los Angeles police were questioning the woman. Authorities did not say why she may have made the statement.

The campus went on lockdown as the shooting reports came in at around 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Police gave the all-clear less than an hour later.

Students received a text message from the university around 12:30 p.m. Monday, saying "Police Activity at 610 Childs Way, Fertitta Hall  on UPC Campus. Police searching Fertitta Hall. Shots reported but not confirmed. Shelter in place."

About a half-hour after the USC tweets, Los Angeles Police tweeted there was no shooting and no threat to students.