Police have lifted a lockdown on the Denison University campus and allowed Granville schools students to go home this afternoon after a man reportedly called Denison University threatening gun violence. The lockdown started after the 2 p.m. call and ended by about 3:35 p.m. today.

Police have lifted a lockdown on the Denison University campus and allowed Granville schools students to go home this afternoon after a man reportedly called Denison University threatening gun violence.

The lockdown started after the 2 p.m. call and ended by about 3:35 p.m. today.

"Local, state and federal officials determined it was a hoax," said Denison University spokeswoman Ginny Sharkey.

Granville Township Fire Chief Jeff Hussey said a male caller made an unspecified threat of violence to the Denison campus in a call to Denison security.



He said officials are investigatingwhether the threat is linked to other recent threats.



"As part of the investigation, we're looking at some other threats that occurred today and in recent days, trying to make those connections to see if that is a possiblity," Hussey said.



Last week, a man with a Middle Eastern accent called Pickerington North High School, threatening an attack with an AK-47. Hussey said it is too early to discuss whether that threat was connected tothe one in Granville.



Police were looking for a black Jeep today, based on information the callershared, Hussey said.



"It does not at this time seem like a credible threat," Hussey said.



Still, Sharkey said before the lockdown was lifted that the university was taking no chances.



"There's no immediate threat on campus, the perimeter is currently closed and we've informed all members on campus to shelter in place," she said. "Any time there's a threat to our students or our staff, we react as we should, very conservatively. Our priorities are always with our students first. Parents entrust us with their children."



Hussey said officials sent out automatic calls to residents of the village of Granville and Granville Township, informing them of the situation. They allowed students to be dismissed on schedule in the Granville schools.



After the call, 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.



Granville Superintendent Jeff Brown said students were scheduled for early release today, and that the district was given the OK to release students as scheduled.



High-school and middle-school students were released at 1:50 p.m.;elementary and intermediate-school students went homeat 2:50 p.m.

