UPDATE, 7:13 p.m.: The university lifted the shelter in place order and told the campus community, "Please resume normal activities."

AMHERST -- A person armed with a gun was reportedly in a University of Massachusetts Amherst dormitory and people on campus were advised to shelter in place.

That's according to a text alert sent to students and staff Thursday afternoon shortly before 6 p.m.

The alert said a "hostile, armed person" was in Pierpont Hall in the Southwest residence area and a handgun was shown but not fired.

Another alert minutes later said there were reports of a second "involved party" and no known direction of travel for either person.

The suspect with a gun is a white male wearing a dark colored shirt and a gold chain, the alert said, while the second person was a white male with a gray sweatshirt.

UMass Police are on scene and have secured the perimeter, the alert said. A later alert shortly after 6 p.m. said police were "interviewing suspects and continuing to investigate."

Shortly after 6:30 p.m., the school sent out a notification to the school community reminding students that the shelter-in-place order applied to the entire campus, and not just Pierpont dormitory or the Southwest area.

Word of the situation quickly spread across campus and beyond through social media.

Smith College sent out an alert to all students, faculty and staff to notify them of the situation and to urge them to stay clear of the UMass campus

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

One student tweeted a recording of the active shooter alert announcement.

Gunman near Pierpont Hall which is a dorm at UMass Amherst. — Regina George Michael (@charlesrockhill) February 18, 2016