Police at Southern Illinois University in downstate Carbondale ordered an immediate evacuation of Lawson Hall at 9:15 p.m. Friday on a report of "possible shots fired," but a university official said the report is not confirmed.

Some students reported hearing gunfire during a school talent show at Lawson Hall. Carbondale Police and SIU Police responded to the building. Buildings near Lawson Hall also were evacuated and searched by officers as a precaution, according to police. About 17,000 students attend SIU.

A student journalist for the Daily Egyptian, Aaron Graff, subsequently reported on Twitter that "a definite blood stain" could be seen outside Lawson 171. An ambulance was on the scene.