Denison University

Denison University in Granville, Ohio, has been placed on lockdown this afternoon on reports a suspected shooter may be heading to the campus. (Chris Russell/Columbus Dispatch Photo) For Granville Travel story

(CHRIS RUSSELL/Columbus Dispatch)

GRANVILLE, Ohio -- A lockdown at Denison University and the Granville schools prompted by the threat of a shooter heading toward the Denison campus has been lifted.

The lockdown at Granville schools was lifted around 3 p.m., and students were sent home, WSYX-TV in Columbus reported. The university lifted its lockdown around 3:30 p.m.

Denison posted on its website there was a possible threat of a person or persons responding to campus with weapons, and asked everyone to stay inside buildings they were in at the time, WSYX-TV reported. The university said campus safety got a phone call threatening an act of violence on the campus, but would not say what it was.

In a message posted on their website, Denison said while there was no immediate threat, they acted conservatively to ensure security.

Granville Township Fire Chief Jeff Hussey told WSYX-TV authorities are investigating if the threat could be connected to other incidents across the state, but would not elaborate.

Granville police requested assistance from the Licking County sheriff's office as well as the State Highway Patrol, posting vehicles at each of Granville's four schools as well as at all entrances to Denison, the Columbus Dispatch (paywall) reported.

A Granville schools spokesperson told the Newark Advocate this afternoon the schools went on lockdown shortly after 2 p.m. after police received a call about a shooter possibly headed to the Denison campus.

According to police scanner traffic, authorities are searching for a black customized Jeep, possibly with five men in it, the Columbus Dispatch reported.