AUSTIN, Minn. — Authorities responded to a report of a person with a firearm on the Riverland Community College Austin Campus around 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

Lt. Dustin Wollenburg of the Austin Police Department said a student reported seeing the person near the student housing area, prompting a swift response from officers.

Wollenburg said the college went into lockdown as officers searched the campus. Video surveillance showed someone with what appeared to be a black rifle. Officers later found the person and confirmed the firearm was a toy splat gun.

Riverland staff lifted the lockdown after being informed of the findings. Officials thanked the student for promptly reporting the situation, emphasizing that the toy gun's realistic appearance justified the investigation.

See Full Page