2 Shot Dead at UCLA Engineering Building

The city of Los Angeles was on a tactical alert after a morning shooting on the campus of University of California, Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck told reporters shortly after noon Pacific time that “the campus is now safe” and the situation “entirely contained” after they determined that the shooting was a murder-suicide.

Beck said the gun was found at the scene and at least three shots were fired inside a “small office” within the engineering building.

The chief said the lockdown would be lifted slowly “to ensure no other participants” are on campus.

LAPD Capt. Andy Neiman earlier told reporters that the report of a shooting came in at 10 a.m. and no one had been transferred from the scene to a hospital.

UCLA then issued a press release confirming that there are two fatalities.

“Police have confirmed that two people are dead in a shooting at UCLA’s Engineering IV building,” the university said. “Police are now sweeping the building, looking for a shooter.”

The LAPD issued their own statement noting that the two victims were male.

Neiman said tactical teams including the UCLA police, LAPD and the FBI responded. He said the FBI was on scene simply because their office is in “such close proximity” to the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to work with the LAPD.

He said the “message is to shelter in place” for people on campus and other Angelenos were told to stay away from the area.

L.A. was “placed on a tactical alert” citywide for the purpose of reallocating resources, Neiman added. “It does not mean there is something going on in all parts of the city.”

Neiman said officers were going in with SWAT to “do this very methodically.” The bomb squad was on scene, but he stressed that there were not any reports of bombs or devices at this point. “It’s a common response with our SWAT team in case we need to do any breaching of any doors,” he noted.

The sprawling UCLA campus is 419 acres. Students are in their last week of classes.

Some reports described the shooter as a white male, 6 feet tall, wearing black pants and a black jacket. Neiman told reporters that he could not confirm the suspect description.

The LAPD said in its statement that officers were “continuing a methodical search of the campus and surrounding areas; however, no additional suspects have been seen.”

“The Los Angeles Police Department reminds you that in dynamic situations, preliminary information is often inaccurate,” the statement added.

UCLA Police Chief Jim Herren was the first to tell reporters “it is possible that one of the victims is a shooter.”

The Los Angeles Fire Department was also on the scene with 11 engine and truck companies. Elementary and high schools near the campus were also on lockdown.

“The president was briefed aboard Air Force One on the reports of a deadly shooting at UCLA,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement. “He asked his team to keep him updated on the situation.”