Report Of Gun Prompts Brief Shelter In Place At BU; A BB Gun

FENWAY, MA — Boston University lifted a shelter in place order Tuesday afternoon as police continued searching the Kenmore Square area for a man reported to have a gun. Police were tracking a suspect who they said ditched an air soft rifle BB gun when they went to talk to him, but it was unclear whether he actually had anything else on him, police said.

At 1 p.m., police got a report of a person with a gun in a dumpster near 829 Beacon St. As police raced to the scene, the proximity to BU's campus prompted university officials to issue an alert. About 1:15 p.m., MBTA officials stopped Green Line trains in both directions and warned they expected 15-minute delays as a result.

But police said the call was more of a routine nature.

"It was never an active shooter situation," said Officer James Kenneally, a spokesman for the department, just before 3 p.m. "A third party called and said they saw a person with what looked like a gun in the area, and when officers approached him, he discarded his BB gun."

Police stressed that the call was still under investigation and police could not confirm if the man actually had another weapon on him.

Officers searched the MBTA tunnel near Kenmore Square with at least one police dog, according to early radio reports, before expanding the search to Barnes & Noble bookstore and areas nearby.

But the trains were not yet back and running until 2:52 p.m., according to the MBTA.

At 2:15 p.m. Boston University sent out the all-clear.

"Police have determined the area is safe. Please resume your normal activities."

But as police started the search, Boston University Alert Service sent the following text to the BU community:

"Police are investigating a report of a man who may have had a gun near Landmark Center (Park Drive). Heavy Police activity In the area. Please avoid the area. We will Update with further information."

Right after BU sent that alert out they sent a second:

"BUPD is ordering a shelter in place for 610 Beacon St. and 481 Commonwealth Ave. The man from the previous incident is running in the train tunnels through kenmore Square. Will update ASAP."

BU sent several more updates, and asked the entire community to shelter in place and keep away from doors and windows.

Although Boston Police said they are not giving out a description of the man, BU Police described the man police were looking for as white with a beard and curly hair. Police said he is wearing a long-sleeve shirt with black sleeves "with some red and black" and blue jeans, according to a subsequent BU update. He may have a back pack and orange gloves, according to scanner reports.

Earlier this month there was a false alarm right around the corner when popping balloons caused an active shooter response in the Longwood area>> All Clear Sounded After 'Shelter in Place' At Boston Schools

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff