Reports of a shooting at USC Monday afternoon were the result of confusion and alarm after a university professor suffered some sort of “episode” on campus, Los Angeles police said.

According to Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Mike Lopez, a female faculty member had a “breakdown” in Fertitta Hall and started yelling about an active shooter, which “caused everybody to panic.”

Chief John Thomas of USC’s Department of Public Safety said it was reported that during class, a faculty member “falsely told her students there was an active shooter in the building.”

About 12:15 p.m., officers with the Los Angeles Police Department and USC campus police responded to 610 Childs Way on the University Park Campus and searched the area.

Within the hour, LAPD officials confirmed no shooting took place on the campus.

We can confirm there’s been NO shooting on @USC Campus. Systematic search was conducted in coordination with @USCDPS. No danger to community — LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) October 2, 2017

The university issued a shelter in place order, which was later lifted.

“There’s no evidence of a shooting, (but) we did have units that responded to a possible active shooter,” said LAPD Detective Meghan Aguilar. “The responding units are trying to touch base with people that called 911 to report it and figure out exactly what’s going on there.”

The professor was detained and was being questioned to determine her mental health status, Lopez said, and to decide if any charges will be brought.

Police Activity at 610 Childs Way, Fertitta Hall on UPC Campus. No evidence of active shooter, injuries, or crime. https://t.co/rmCuxMsTjI — USC (@USC) October 2, 2017

Fretitta Hall was reopened a short time later, according to USC officials.

Lopez said in light of Sunday night’s mass shooting in Las Vegas — the deadliest in modern U.S. history — responding officers couldn’t help but fear the worst.

“We’re happy it wasn’t,” he added.

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