Armed Suspect Arrested at Rhode Island Community College Campus

LINCOLN, R.I. — The Community College of Rhode Island‘s Flanagan Campus was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon after police arrested a man with a knife. The lockdown began shortly after noon when authorities responded to reports of an armed individual on campus.

According to police officials, an alert was sent to students, warning of a “possible suspect with a gun.” However, the incident was later clarified to involve a suspect armed with a knife. Despite the initial alarm, other college campuses remained unaffected.

The police received a call for assistance following a reported assault with a knife at a bus stop near the campus. It is not yet confirmed if this incident is related to the armed suspect on campus. As of Thursday afternoon, authorities had not reported any injuries or released the identity of the suspect.

The Flanagan Campus, located on a 300-acre site off Louisquisset Pike, is one of the most affordable colleges in New England and provides free tuition for Rhode Islanders graduating high school. Its facilities include a building with three interconnected modules, designed to accommodate various educational programs.

During the lockdown, students were instructed to shelter in place as officers conducted a thorough search of the area. Many students expressed concern over the safety of the campus environment.

“It was really alarming to receive that alert,” said Samantha Carter, a student at the college. “We all just wanted to know that we were safe.”

The lockdown was lifted shortly after the suspect was taken into custody, allowing operations to resume on campus. College administrators have assured students that their safety is a top priority.

As this situation develops, the college community has been advised to stay informed through official communications and local news outlets. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

For those seeking the latest developments, the Community College of Rhode Island encourages students to check their email and follow local news stations for real-time updates.