One suspect dead after attack at Ohio State University

Initially, the Ohio State University Emergency Management reported there was an active shooter at Watts Hall, home of the school’s Materials Science and Engineering Department. The school encouraged people on campus to “run” “hide” and “fight.”

During a Monday afternoon news conference, police said they do not believe the suspect used a gun but rather a knife and a vehicle to hurt people.

NBC and Fox News both cited sources saying the deceased suspect was a man of Somali descent who was either 18 or 20 years old and entered and lived in the U.S. legally. The man was also reportedly an Ohio State student. Ben Johnson, director of media relations for Ohio State, told the Washington Examiner he couldn’t confirm any of those details but said there would be another media briefing at 4 p.m.

The school said in a statement a number of victims were being treated for “stab wounds, injury by motor vehicle and other injuries that are being evaluated.” Police said nine people were being hospitalized.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, four people went to the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, three people went to the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center and two people went to the OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. None of the hospitalized individuals had life-threatening injuries, according to the Dispatch.

“Facts are still being verified… our top priority remains the safety and security of our campus community,” the school said in its statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured and their families.”

All classes were canceled for the rest of the day at the university and the area around Watts Hall was closed.

The Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed their Columbus field office was also being sent to the scene.