Oakland University police issued an “all-clear” following reports of two gunmen on campus Nov. 14.
By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published November 15, 2022
ROCHESTER HILLS — Oakland University police issued an “all-clear” following reports of two gunmen on campus Nov. 14.
Police were advising people to stay indoors as early as 4 a.m. that morning as officers pursued two armed subjects.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said the suspects were involved in a car chase from Genesee County involving three stolen cars.
The Flint Police Department said it received a call from the Genesee County 911 Communications Center stating that multiple subjects were inside a secured parking lot, in the area of South Saginaw Street, at Atherton Road, attempting to drive away in several vehicles at around 3:02 a.m. Nov. 14.
A witness reported that suspects rammed the front gate, driving through it with an undetermined number of vehicles.
The security guard reported to police that gunshots were fired by the suspects, and one return shot was fired by the security guard in self-defense.
The suspects then drove the cars into Oakland County, where there was reportedly a crash at around 4 a.m., and two suspects fled on foot.
Scott McGraw, the deputy chief of police for the Auburn Hills Police Department, said the city’s police and fire departments were dispatched to Interstate 75 on the report of a Ford Mustang that was on fire after crashing on the exit ramp from southbound I-75 to southbound Joslyn Road.
McGraw said the driver and sole occupant of the 2022 Mustang — which police believe to have been stolen in Genesee County — was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Although the driver had not yet been identified at press time, McGraw said investigators were working with the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the driver.
No other details were released regarding the other stolen cars.
At around 4:30 a.m., OU police sent out an alert urging people in the area to remain indoors after two armed suspects were spotted on Oakland University’s east campus.
The suspects were described as two males, of a slim build. One was reportedly wearing a blue hoodie.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Oakland University police, Auburn Hills police and others.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were on the campus at 7:51 a.m., had set up a perimeter and were “searching with dogs and aerial assets.”
“We encourage everyone at Oakland University to stay indoors until the situation is resolved,” the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
At 8:29 a.m., OU police sent an alert stating that authorities were continuing to pursue the two armed suspects on campus. Residents and employees already on campus were advised to stay indoors, and students, faculty and staff were advised not to report to campus “until further notice.”
At 8:51 a.m., the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office released the shelter in place order, stating that a witness saw two individuals matching the description of the suspects get into a vehicle that pulled up and “they fled the area hours ago.”
A shelter-in-place request at Oakland University was canceled at 9 a.m. Nov. 14, after a witness saw two armed men flee the area in a car. At 9:30 a.m. Oakland University police issued an “all-clear” regarding armed suspects on campus. Officials said campus community members were free to move about campus, but classes and all other campus activities were delayed until noon.
Rochester Community Schools Superintendent Robert Shaner said the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office advised the district — which has many schools near the area — that it was “safe to proceed with school” Nov. 14. As an extra precaution, Shaner said, there was an “increased police presence in and around our buildings.”
The car crash is being investigated by the Southeast Oakland County Crash Investigation Team, which includes crash investigators from Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham and Clawson.
Police said this is an open, ongoing investigation involving multiple jurisdictions.
Anyone with information regarding the Flint incident is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL. Anyone with information regarding the car crash in Auburn Hills is asked to contact the Auburn Hills Police Department at (248)370-9460.